Innovative
Teacher Program
The Innovative Teacher Program (ITP) is designed for a wide range of applicants including certified teachers, noncertified teachers, recent college graduates and those considering teaching as a profession.
Through ITP, Associate Teachers learn essential skills for a career in education—classroom management, curriculum and assessment design, parent and colleague communication, and assessment design through experiential learning. As full members of the Nueva faculty, associate teachers learn from experts in gifted education while acquiring a toolbox of approaches pioneered by the Nueva community, including social-emotional learning, design thinking, and unique curriculum inspiring students to be compassionate and engaged citizens.
Program Overview
ITP, a two-year program, provides associate teachers with in-classroom and out-of-classroom opportunities for learning. Each associate teacher works closely with a designated mentor teacher who guides their in-classroom program experience. The mentor teacher and ITP advisor regularly provide feedback and support for the associate teacher’s growth.
ITP workshops enrich the learning experience, and are hosted by a variety of Nueva teachers, school leaders, deans, and other community members. Previous workshop topics have included Adolescent Psychology, Girls and STEM, and Writing Across the Disciplines. Workshops are complemented by divisional lunches which allow for informal discussion about the ATs’ experiences and areas of interest. Associate teachers often take the lead in these conversations, discussing topics such as executive functioning, coaching, and relationship development with students in advisory.
Graduates of the Innovative Teacher Program
Brimming with experience and inspired by innovative ideas and techniques, graduates of ITP are eagerly hired by both public and independent schools throughout the Bay Area and nationwide. While most associates go on to teach in their own classrooms, some continue studies in pursuit of advanced degrees, while a few choose to embark on other careers inspired by their work with Nueva students.