New Hire Information

Our onboarding website has been created to assist teachers new to the district and first year teachers in their assimilation to Cotulla ISD and the teaching profession.

Each button on the right is a step in the onboarding process throughout the year and will provide you with links to relevant information. While the steps are in order, the information may be beneficial throughout the school year.

Step 1 - New Hire Orientation

The New Hire Orientation is the first step in processing your new hire paperwork and getting your benefits set up. The orientation will familiarize you with the city of Cotulla, school district processes, procedures, mission, vision, goals, and regulations, and support available to you throughout your first year with Cotulla ISD.

The Pre-Service Training is three days before returning teachers report to work. During this training you will have the opportunity to access the district curriculum and technology, and your campus’ processes and procedures.

You will need to sign up for each of these dates online in Eduphoria.

The NIET Cluster professional development model is a collaborative approach designed to enhance teacher effectiveness and improve student outcomes. In this model, teachers work in small groups, called clusters, to focus on specific instructional strategies and data-informed practices. Instructional coaches play a vital role, guiding teachers through these sessions, providing targeted feedback, and modeling effective teaching strategies. Coaches help facilitate discussions around student data and instructional adjustments, ensuring that each teacher leaves with actionable strategies to implement in their classrooms. This model fosters a culture of continuous improvement and peer support, aligning professional development with school goals and student needs..

Purpose
The TEA Mentor Program Allotment (MPA) aims to improve teacher retention, effectiveness, and student achievement by supporting mentor programs for beginning teachers in their first three years of teaching. The MPA provides districts with funding to train experienced teachers as mentors, who then provide guidance and support to beginning teachers.

 

Program Structure

• Mentor Assignment: Each new teacher (mentee) is paired with a mentor who works in the same or closely related content area.
• Time Requirement: Mentors are expected to engage with their mentees regularly, with a minimum of 12 hours per semester of one-on-one mentoring sessions.
• Training for Mentors: Mentors receive initial and ongoing training that covers instructional coaching, mentoring strategies, classroom management, and data-driven instruction.
• Support Activities: Includes regular observations, feedback sessions, collaborative planning, and data analysis discussions.

This section will include most of the calendars you will need during the school year. These are district calendars, not campus-based calendars, so if there is something campus specific you are looking for you should check with your administration or front office.

This section also includes the guidelines and policies on all types of Leave and the Time Clock Plus to input all types of absences.

Important Resources

District Calendars

Discretionary Leave Dates

Sick Leave Bank Guidelines

District Policy on Leaves and Absences

Compliance Training

T-TESS

Eduphoria

Region 20

District Map/Phone Numbers (links for the following)

Campus Directory and Hours

CISD Employee Handbook

Technology Employee Portal

District Safety and Security

Employee Benefits