To support the professional renewal and advancement of faculty and staff, Westridge offers a generous and comprehensive professional development program. The program allows teachers to stay abreast of current research in their discipline and emerging research about how students learn, provides an opportunity for reflection and renewal, develops collegial relationships outside of Westridge, and offers the opportunity to inform one’s perspective.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend local, state, and national workshops and conferences as participants and presenters during the academic year. Professional development monies are also available for grants, graduate programs, on-line courses, research, travel, and professional memberships and subscriptions to professional journals. A list of professional development opportunities are updated and posted on the school’s online community site.

Faculty Mentoring

Westridge is committed to hiring and retaining excellent teachers. To that end the school provides each new teacher with a mentor who is responsible for helping new faculty understand the school’s culture, traditions, policies and practices. In weekly meetings with new teachers, mentors provide guidance, answer questions, observe classes, and problem solve. The mentor relationship gives new teachers the opportunity to reflect on what is working well and to identify areas for professional growth.

Faculty Sabbatical Program

Westridge also provides an opportunity for renewal and reflection through its sabbatical program. Teachers who have worked full time at Westridge for at least seven years or part time for at least 12 years are eligible for the sabbatical program.