Lincoln Public Schools
New Teacher Program
Kim Ruud
Continuous Improvement Coordinator
kruud@lps.org
Welcome!
We are excited you are here!
Whether LPS is your first teaching experience or you are new to the district, this website will help support you on your educational journey. There is a lot to learn the first year and we’ll be here every step of the way. Each new teacher (you!) will have the opportunity to work with a building instructional coach OR a professional learning coach assigned to your building. These coaches will support you in many ways, similar to a mentor and with the added perk of instructional guidance. If you have a more specialized position, you will have a mentor to advise you during this first year.
I will be heading out to schools throughout the year, so I’ll see you soon. This website is brand new and we are continuously adding new resources, so if there is something you think we should add, please let me know. If you have questions about the mentoring process or questions in general, please reach out.
LPS New Teacher Feature
Elementary School
Amanda Deras
ELL Teacher, Kooser Elementary
What is one area you’ve seen yourself grow in Q1?
One thing I think I have improved upon most during the first quarter is classroom management. Moving from the secondary to elementary level caused me to rethink my classroom management skills and experiment with what works for me. I have found the techniques I like the most and am able to relax more because I know my classroom is under control.
What is one thing you like about Kooser?
My favorite thing about Kooser Elementary is the support of the staff and administration. As a new teacher, all the other teachers and admins have gone out of their way to help me when I have a question and give amazing advice.
What is a family holiday tradition you’d like to share?
Cooking a big Thanksgiving meal with my Mom!
Middle School
Keith Lloyd
Science, Mickle Middle School
What is one area where you’ve seen yourself grow in Q1?
In the first quarter I have seen growth in managing my time between home life and school life. We are probably all guilty of spending too much time working on lesson plans and grading but I have learned to get my work done before leaving school and then spending my time away dedicated to my family and home life. I have 2 boys and a wonderful wife at home.
What is one thing you like about Mickle?
One thing I love about Mickle is the experienced teachers being available to help me. They are always willing to give their sound advice on what to do with a situation I am unprepared for or had never thought about. I am happy to see my team teachers spending as much time at school as I am preparing and making family connections before and after school.
What is a family holiday tradition you’d like to share?
For the last 6 years my wife and I have hosted a holiday cookie decorating party. We invite our nieces and nephews over for a day of preparing, baking, decorating, and eating cookies!!! The kids love getting together with their cousins and we get to hear all about their excitement for winter break and the holiday season!
High School
Julia Dowling
VOICE Program at Pemberly Place
What is one area where you’ve seen yourself grow in Q1?
I feel like I have grown in asking for help and communicating with other staff members in the VOICE Program as well as the staff members who work at Pemberly Place.
What is one thing you like about the VOICE Program?
I love being able to see my students learn job skills that they will be able to apply to their own employment in the future. It is also great to hear them say that they want a job at a site that they have been to or would like to use the skills they learned there.
What is a family holiday tradition you’d like to share?
We recently started a tradition of picking out a new puzzle at the beginning of December and working on it until Christmas. It is nice to just sit down, relax, and enjoy being together.
Specialized Areas
Danielson Framework Resources and Supports
Domain 1:
Planning and Preparation
Domain 2:
The Classroom Environment
Domain 3:
Instruction
Domain 4:
Professional Responsibilities
Phases of First-Year Teachers
Continue your development as a successful teacher with information from our Professional Learning Site
For more information about Lincoln Public Schools, please visit our main page by clicking here.