In Jefferson County, the process for welcoming new teachers has shifted to a member-led model under the guidance of the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA). The approach now centers on classroom educators leading induction sessions and building connections with newcomers.
Collin Ferraro, an English teacher at Wheat Ridge High School and chair of JCEA’s Early Career Educator Action Team, leads this initiative. Ferraro described his own experience as a new teacher: “I remember coming into the induction process in 2019, and it was just so impersonal,” he said. “It was like 100 people in a session—just faceless entities all around. Over the last couple years, we’ve really worked hard on adding that personal touch. Smaller rooms, one-on-one conversations. It feels more intimate, and it fosters community and connection.”
Brooke Williams emphasized the importance of peer involvement in these sessions. “It’s one thing to sit through induction, but it’s another to say, ‘I want to be the person welcoming the next group,’” Williams said. “That’s how you build a culture of solidarity—members leading members.”
During induction events, new educators are introduced not only to their district but also to their union. Members lead discussions about evaluations and contracts while answering practical questions from early career teachers. These conversations often continue informally over lunch, helping educators form lasting relationships within their communities.
Ferraro noted that many volunteers who help with induction were themselves participants in previous years. “Most of the new volunteers I talked to this year, I first met when they were new teachers last year at induction,” he said. “To see them come back to volunteer is incredible. It means the connections we’re making during induction are paying off.”
He also highlighted collaboration between JCEA and the district’s induction team: “There is a true partnership with the district induction team and JCEA, where they are part of the decision-making from day one, shaping how new educators are welcomed into the district,” Ferraro said. “I didn’t realize how rare this was until I heard from other locals,” he added. “I’m super thankful for the partnership we’ve built and for the fact that members—not just staff—are at the center of induction.”
For JCEA, introducing new teachers goes beyond orientation; it is about integrating them into a community led by peers and supported by union resources throughout their careers.
