Providing the best professional development in the state of Kansas is
a long-standing goal of Garden City Public Schools. Every month, USD
457 offers dozens of professional development seminars to assist our
teachers in becoming the best educator possible. Each summer, more
in-depth academies are offered for reading instruction, classroom
management, and other topics. Our teachers also have many opportunities
to participate in special grant-funded opportunities, such as Technology
Rich Classrooms, Teaching American History, and Dual Language, just to
name a few. Of course, all of these oppourunities are provided without
cost to our employees, and the hours spent in professional development
activites accumulate to advance our employees on the salary schedule.
The district also offer several supports for teachers who must pass
certification tests to gain licensure in Kansas or to add additional
endorsements to their teaching license. The district has study guides
available for all Praxis assessments. Additionally, review sessions are
offered for the Praxis Principles of Teaching and Learning assessment as
well as the Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages assessment.
Once USD 457 teachers pass assessments neccessary to gain needed
licensure or endorsements, they may qualify for district reimbursement for the cost
of their assessments.
Tuition Reimbursement
The district offers a number of tuition reimbursement programs for
graduate study. The Master's Tuition Reimbursement Program provides up
to $5,000 for teachers to pursue their first master's degree related to
an educational area. For teachers seeking a master's degree in Special Education or
English as a Second Language, USD 457 can cover virtually all tuition
expenses. Teachers
accepted into the Tuition Reimbursement Program are asked to make a commitment to teach in USD 457 for two years for
endorsement programs and five years for master's programs.