ACS - Alabaster City Schools (ACS) proudly launched the 2025–2026 School Year, at least for its newest educators, with its annual New Employee and Teacher Orientation—a two-day event designed to equip and energize new staff members as they join the ACS team.
Held at Thompson High School on July 28–29, the orientation brought together new certified and classified employees, mentors, and district leaders for an engaging blend of training, breakout sessions, and relationship-building opportunities. From instructional overviews to personalized cohort rotations, the event was built around this year’s district theme: Future Ready!
New employees were welcomed with coffee, photo booths, door prizes, and signature ACS swag—followed by practical training sessions and targeted instructional support from department leaders and veteran staff.
“This orientation reflects the heart of who we are as a district—welcoming, intentional, and focused on excellence,” said Dr. Wayne Vickers, Superintendent of Alabaster City Schools. “We are thrilled to welcome so many talented educators and staff into our ACS family. This is where their journey with us begins, and our commitment is to ensure they feel supported and empowered from day one.”
Day One: Foundation & Connection
Day one focused on key operational supports, including human resources, mentoring, student services, and technology. First-year mentees and their mentors participated in a Lunch & Learn, while returning mentors received updated training on supporting educators through their early years.
Day Two: Curriculum, Community & Cohorts
Certified new teachers returned for a full day of instruction centered on curriculum expectations and classroom readiness. The morning began with a warm welcome from Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers and remarks from the Curriculum & Instruction team, followed by tailored breakout sessions for elementary, secondary, and exceptional education teachers.
In the afternoon, participants rotated through a series of targeted sessions organized by school cohorts—offering training on topics like communication tools, English learners, dyslexia interventions, technology integration, and professional development.
“This year’s new teacher orientation was a great success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our Central Office team,” said Dr. Amanda Wilbanks, Chief Academic Officer. “The new rotating session format, paired with engaging relationship-building activities, created a welcoming and energizing start for our incoming teachers. We were especially pleased to have our superintendent and board of education members join us in welcoming the new staff. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to continue improving this experience each year as we support our educators and celebrate the strength of our school district.”
A Culture of Excellence
With nearly 900 employees working together to support more than 6,000 students, Alabaster City Schools continues to prioritize professional development and collaboration as foundational pillars of student success, creating a "future-ready" tomorrow.