Your Guide to Joining Westside

YOUR GUIDE TO JOINING WESTSIDE TEACHERS & CERTIFIED STAFF

WWW.WESTSIDE66.ORG

Dear Educators, Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Westside Community Schools! As a district, we are deeply committed to fostering innovation, connecting with our greater community, and continuing to lead the way in educational excellence.

When you join WCS, you become part of a storied tradition.

We take great pride in our forward-thinking culture that prioritizes your professional growth and well-being. We offer dynamic professional development opportunities, structured mentorship programs, and the resources you need to excel in your career. Beyond professional growth, WCS is also a place where you’ll find a sense of belonging.

We celebrate our diversity and cultivate a welcoming environment where every staff member feels valued and empowered to succeed. Whether you're a new teacher eager to build your skills or an experienced educator looking for a supportive district where you can grow and thrive, you’ll find the support and encouragement you need to make an impact in Westside Community Schools.

Together, we can create opportunities that transform lives and shape the future. Connect with us to discover how you can join our community of passionate and dedicated team members.

Dr. Andrea Haynes Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources and District Operations

Dr. Mike Lucas Superintendent

We Are Westside.

Sincerely, Dr. Andrea Haynes, Assistant Superintendent Human Resources and District Operations Dr. Mark Weichel Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning

Human Resources Department 909 South 76th Street Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-2100 hrdept@westside66.net www.westside66.org

Westside Community Schools is proud of the close-knit community you'll find throughout our ten elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, including specialized secondary programming at our West Campus site.

Community, innovation, and excellence have always been at the core of who we are and who we strive to be. We are proud to foster a community of learners inside our classrooms that mirrors the demographics of the city of Omaha.

WESTSIDE’S STRATEGIC PLAN: “Westside has managed to keep a feeling of a tight knit community while being a large class-A district. This culture is not just within our school buildings amongst our students and staff, but also is throughout our surrounding neighborhoods.”

- John Bombac, Skilled and Technical Sciences Department Chair, Westside High School

About Our Schools Westside has over

6,000 amazing students and over 1,000 dedicated staff members.

EARLY CHILDHOOD Underwood Hills ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Hillside Loveland Oakdale Paddock Road Prairie Lane

Rockbrook Sunset Hills Swanson Westbrook Westgate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Westside Middle HIGH SCHOOL Westside High, West Campus and Transition Programs

About

Our District

32

20

24

NUMBER OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN

STUDENTS (ON AVERAGE) IN AN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

350

LEARNERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

14

26 75

EMPLOYEE STATE OR NATIONAL AWARDS IN 2023-24

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES OFFERED

% OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE EARNED A MASTER’S DEGREE OR HIGHER

ALL 14 OF OUR SITES ARE UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS We are proud to partner with Special Olympics Nebraska to implement a threecomponent strategy focused on Inclusive Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement.

About Our

Benefits for Certified Staff

100% Paid Single Health and Dental Insurance 100% Master’s Degree Tuition Reimbursement

“The supportive administration and the district’s size foster a sense of community, making it a truly rewarding place to work.”

- Tyler Foster, High School Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher, Westside High School

$44, 200 STARTING SALARY (2025-26)

(after three years of employment)

WCS Matches Employee Contributions at 101%

Disability/Income Protection Insurance provided

Teacher Mentoring Program and Professional Learning

Multiple Financial Awards & Accolades Available to Staff

Wellness Program with Financial & Time Incentives

Unlimited Sick Leave

Why staff STAY at Westside TOP

4

REASONS STAFF STAY AT WESTSIDE

(Taken from the DISTRICT’s Fall 2024 Certified stay survey)

WE-SIDE initiatives ensure that all students and staff feel welcomed and valued. Initiatives focus on Welcoming, Equity, Support, Inclusion & Dignity for Everyone.

“I choose to stay at Westside because of the strong relationships I've built with both my colleagues and the community.

I truly feel supported by the people I work with and the families we serve.”

- Brie Kuster, 4th grade teacher, Paddock Road Elementary School

Positive Work Environment & School Culture Support from School Leaders Competitive Compensation and Benefits Collaborative Relationships with Collegues

Support for

Teachers WESTSIDE WAY PROGRAM

LAYERS OF SUPPORT

ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Westside Way is a three-

WCS provides tailored

WCS is committed to

year program designed for

support to ensure that all

fostering continuous

all educators joining the

educators receive the

growth and professional

WCS community, aimed at

resources they need to

excellence for our

fostering collaboration,

thrive within their

educators. Through a

reflection, and professional

classrooms and buildings.

wide offering of learning

growth.

opportunities, teachers An instructional coach

and staff are empowered

First year educators meet

is an additional

to enhance their skills,

monthly to focus on the

resource for all teachers

drive student success,

key areas of classroom

who can provide

collaborate with peers,

climate, managing

tailored support &

and implement innovative

behaviors, instructional

collaboration in

practices in their

strategies, planning and

planning and

classrooms.

preparation, and

effectiveness in the

professionalism

classroom

District and building-led

First year educators are

Collaboration and

professional learning

paired with a building

opportunities to meet

during Pre-Opening

mentor who serves as a

regularly with their

Week

thought partner and

grade level partners

Professional learning

support of instructional

and professional

days built in throughout

best practices.

learning communities

the year to support

Second and third year

are built into the

district initiatives,

educators meet quarterly

schedule

building goals and

to refine their skills and

District and building-

personal plan time

enhance their

led professional

Built-in teacher work

effectiveness in the

learning that supports

days to support

classroom.

the implementation of

planning, preparation

building goals

and collaboration

Support for

Teachers EMPOWERING SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS: UNIQUE RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS

Frequent, robust professional learning offerings that allow special educators to gain competency in unique and innovative educational approaches and methodologies.

Well-staffed buildings where experts identified in serving students with complex learning needs (e.g., autism, behavior, etc.) provide direct, collaborative, or consultative support to both students and staff.

Positive climate and an inclusive servicedelivery model that embraces diverse learning needs and fosters collaboration between general and special education

Pre-service mentoring and professional learning, including an additional contract day,

teachers.

Clear and supported pathways for career

tailored specifically to the needs

advancement and specialization within

of newly hired special education

special education, including support for

teachers.

obtaining additional certifications or advanced degrees.

Comprehensive induction program with building mentors, as well as special education facilitators and coordinators, who provide ongoing training and support throughout the school year.

Responsive leadership and strong community partnerships that prioritize communication and authentic collaboration with students, families, and outside agencies.

Comprehensive MTSS framework that ensures all students receive tailored academic, behavioral and social-emotional support through data-driven decisionmaking and tiered interventions.

About Early

Childhood Our Early Childhood Preschool Program serves typically developing, at-risk, and children with special needs who reside in the district, ages three to five years.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Students receive services at our community-based centers within district boundaries and inclusive classrooms at the Underwood Hills Early Learning Center. Related services and support, to those students who qualify, include: Speech and language Physical therapy Occupational therapy Vision and mobility Nursing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Technology

SUPPORT FOR OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD STAFF Professional learning opportunities that include: science of reading-aligned early literacy skill development, meeting the needs of diverse language learners, and Pyramid Model behavioral prevention and intervention strategies.

Strong, collaborative community partnerships that support the early development of children and offer resources to families and educators.

Systematic and supported preparation for educators as students transition between homebased, early childhood special education and elementary settings.

Beyond the

Classroom At Westside Community Schools, we are proud to support students, families, and teachers through various certified positions.

These certified staff positions include, but are not limited to: Administrators Behavior Specialists Instructional Coaches Reading Specialists Speech and Language Pathologists School Psychologists School Counselors Social Workers Special Education Facilitators

"Teachers have a voice in Westside and are part of the decision making process. At Westside, we don't just identify problems and move on. We intentionally seek out solutions to our most difficult challenges and include everyone in the process."

- Dr. Jay Dostal, Principal, Westside High School

About

Instruction Our Instructional Model supports WCS’ strategic plan, drives teacher decision making, and serves as communication to our parents and community.

Our teachers enhance their lesson planning through data-driven strategies and use our Instructional Model as a framework. Within their professional learning communities, they collaborate to implement the most effective, up-to-date practices for their specific content areas and grade levels.

WE ENSURE AN INSTRUCATIONAL MODEL THAT VALUES: Thoughtful, deliberate instructional planning

High quality, evidence-based instruction

Rich learning environments

Strong and supportive collaboration

PRINCIPLE 1

PRINCIPLE 2

PRINCIPLE 3

PRINCIPLE 4

Positive Classroom Climate

Effective Classroom Management

Data-Informed Instructional Practices

Active Student Engagement

High Expectations

Clear Routines & Procedures

Clear Learning Goal

Active Participation

Culture of Belonging, Equity & Inclusion

Organized Learning Environment

Lesson Design

Opportunities to Respond

Positive Interactions

Managing Classroom Behaviors Pacing

Teaching to Mastery Differentiation Checks for Understanding Feedback to Learners

More

Information

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM

HUMAN RESOURCES WEBSITE

BENEFITS SNAPSHOT

WWW.WESTSIDE66.ORG