The Washington Unified School District (WUSD) Board of Trustees approved a new and exciting Diversity Recruitment and Aspiring Leaders Program aimed at recruiting and hiring educators that better reflect the diversity of our community and students.
WUSD is offering financial incentives to recruit future educators, focusing first and foremost on current employees, WUSD graduates, and local community members who can meet the diverse needs of our student population and specialize in Math, Science, Special Education, or other hard-to-fill subject areas. The Diverse Educators program will recruit 30 educators over the next 3 years. Additionally, the program will create a pathway for aspiring leaders by investing in current employees' development and training as potential leaders within WUSD. Participation in the Aspiring Leaders Program is limited to 15 candidates over the next 3 years pursuing administrative credentials and additional staff members who want to explore non-credentialed leadership roles in the district. Both these programs will have the potential to expand in future years.
The plan was approved at the October 13, 2022, regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. It will be funded using the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and a one-time investment from the general fund.
For more information, contact Jenna Raski, HR TOSA, at jraski@wusd.k12.ca.us and (916) 375-7600 ext 1026.
Future Educator investments & support
Future Educator investments & support![]()
Future Educator investments & support
- Pay for 80% of the tuition cost of a one-year credential program
- Provide a Laptop computer to use during the credential program
- Provide a $600 monthly allowance for 12 months if you choose to live with WUSD boundaries while completing the credential program.
Additional Monetary Incentives:
- $5000 incentive: For candidates earning a credential in district identified “Hard to fill” subjects or areas. (paid once the program is completed)
- $5000 incentive: For Diversity represented by candidates lived experiences of living in a zip code that matches our demographics, Bilingual in languages within our schools, demonstrated academic interests such as gender, race, multicultural studies, record of involvement in organizations and/or programs that support underserved students.
DIVERSE EDUCATOR PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
DIVERSE EDUCATOR PROGRAM APPLICATIONS![]()
DIVERSE EDUCATOR PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
The Diverse Educator Application is open as of September 23, 2024 for future educators starting credential programs between July 2024 and Fall 2025. Participants who are accepted during this window will be part of our third cohort. Applications will close November 1, 2024. For any questions, please contact Jenna Raski, HR TOSA, at (916) 375-7600 ext. 1026 or jraski@wusd.k12.ca.us.
Aspiring Leaders investments & support
Aspiring Leaders investments & support![]()
Aspiring Leaders investments & support
Candidates will be provided the following support and incentives:
- Part 1: Pay for 80% of the tuition cost of the one-year Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program
- Part 2: Provide WUSD Leadership Training Series for All employees*
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- Employees will be paid after hours to attend these trainings.
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aSPIRING LEADERS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
aSPIRING LEADERS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS![]()
aSPIRING LEADERS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
The 2024 Aspiring Leader Application is open as of September 23, 2024 and will close November 1, 2024. For any questions, please contact Jenna Raski, HR TOSA, at (916) 375-7600 ext. 1026 or jraski@wusd.k12.ca.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions![]()
What is this teacher recruitment program?
This program will focus on Identifying and Recruiting candidates for credential positions that reflect the diversity of our school district. It is our priority to recruit former WUSD students and current classified staff who are planning to pursue earning their teaching credential or other credentialing such as a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS). We are also interested in recruiting participants that meet the diverse needs of our population as well as participants that are earning credentials in hard-to-fill subject areas.
Which schools are considered part of WUSD for the purpose of recruiting former WUSD students?
All high schools in Washington Unified School District, including River City High School, Yolo High School, and Washington Middle College High School.
How can I participate in the Diverse Educators program?
Participants are selected based upon multiple criteria which will be reviewed upon submission of the complete application:
The following minimum criteria will be considered:
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school (or BA/BS completed by Spring 2020)
- Overall GPA
- Whether or not the candidate is pursuing a Math, Science, World Language, Education Specialist or other credential identified as hard-to-fill in WUSD. All credentials can also be pursued with a Bilingual authorization added on.
- Has not previously held a teaching credential or worked as a teacher of record at any K-12 school in the U.S., public or private
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Participate in an interview once identified as a qualified candidate through the application process.
If selected to participate in the program candidate will be required to complete the following:
- Complete the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- Complete the CSET if required for credential area
- Apply and gain admission to an approved teacher preparation program
Is the participant a WUSD Graduate or classified employee?
Does the participant fulfill any of the diversity criteria:
- Lived in a ZIP code that matches our demographics;
- Bilingual;
- Demonstrated academic interest in subjects such as gender, race, multicultural studies;
- Record of involvement with organizations that support underserved students
Does the participant fulfill any of the hard-to-fill areas:
- Math
- Science
- Special Education (Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, Speech and Language Pathologist)
- World Language
- Other hard-to-fill areas designated within WUSD by Human Resources
What are the program timelines for 2023-2024?
- Q/A Sessions are scheduled:
Virtual: September 13, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
In-person: September 20, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Washington Unified School District Office
930 Westacre Rd
West Sacramento, Ca. - Applications will be accepted September 21 - October 15, 2023.
- In- person interviews will be held in October 2023.
- Program acceptance letters provided November 2023.
Can I participate if I already have a teaching credential?
At this time, our focus is on investing in those that have not yet earned their teaching credentials.
Can I participate if I am already in a credential program?
At this time, our focus is on those that have not yet entered a credential program. Current employees that are pursuing credentials as of July 1, 2023, will be able to join this program and access appropriate incentives.
What are the requirements for completion once I have been accepted to participate in the program?
Participants shall:
- Gain admissions into an approved teacher preparation program
- Submit an invoice for cost of tuition
- Provide proof of credential to be earned
- Complete CBEST, CSET, and any additional credentialing requirements or assessments
Which teacher preparation programs can I attend and receive 80% tuition paid by WUSD?
Each participant's credential program will be handled individually.
Do I get paid to participate in the program?
In addition to 80% tuition payment by the District, each participant has the opportunity to earn the resident allowance, diversity incentive and hard-to-fill incentive if they qualify. Also, participants will receive an WUSD-issued laptop for the duration of the program. However, participants are not WUSD employees and will not receive any other form of payment to participate in the program.
Do I have to pay to participate in the program?
Each participant will be required to pay the remaining 20% tuition cost for the selected teacher preparation program. While any allowance or incentives earned are intended to offset other program-related expenses, participants will be expected to pay their cost-of-living and program-related expenses.
What other requirements would I need to complete to get into a teacher preparation program?
The selected teacher preparation program will have program requirements for acceptance that must be met. In addition, to remain in the program, participants will be expected to maintain a minimum standard of performance outlined by the individual program and remain in good standing.
Are there opportunities for current WUSD staff who have already earned their undergraduate degrees and are considering teaching opportunities in WUSD?
Yes! We will accept and consider applications submitted by current WUSD classified employees. Current employees that are pursuing credentials as of July 1, 2022, will be able to join this program and access appropriate incentives.
Why would you pay me to live in the West Sacramento community while earning my credential?
We believe that the sooner our participants become engaged with the West Sacramento community, the more invested they will become in the importance of our students’ success. Additionally, this creates an incredible opportunity for participants to engage and connect with families and students prior to their first day as an WUSD certificated staff member, allowing families and students to become even more connected to our schools.
Can they be working teacher interns at WUSD and still get the 80% covered?
Yes; if the candidate is working on their first credential, they may be currently employed as an intern in WUSD.
When does the three-year commitment to WUSD start?
The three-year commitment to WUSD (in return for our investment) begins once the candidate is fully credentialed and hired into a credentialed assignment in WUSD.
Can current substitutes be in the program?
Yes, if a current certificated substitute meets the criteria and is selected through the process.
After a candidate submits an application, what is the process?
- Application reviewed by WUSD
- Invitations sent to qualified candidates to participate in an interview
- Candidates participate in an interview
- Official program invitation issued
- Candidate completes their Credential program application process
Can participants substitute for WUSD while they are in the program?
This would be on a case-by-case basis depending on the credential program. If the candidate’s credentialing program does not interfere with the scheduling then we will process individuals as substitutes. Please keep in mind the way that student teaching experiences are structured, it will likely be challenging to be more than a part-time sub during that phase of the program.
After candidates apply, what are the next steps?
There will be interview dates as part of the selection process for those who are screened through meeting the qualifications. Invitations will be coming in January for those who are selected to participate.
How long would a participant need to be living in West Sacramento to qualify for the "resident" incentive?
If they move to West Sacramento during the credential program, they will qualify for up to 12 months, month for month of residency in WUSD boundaries. Participants will need to provide proof of residency (i.e. rental agreement, Leases).
If someone has a teaching credential in one area, can they still apply if they are interested in gaining a different type of credential?
At this point, per the requirements, participants cannot already have a credential.
