Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) for VUSD

Our Teachers On Special Assignment (TOSA) serve in a support capacity, and work side-by-side individuals and teams in efforts to improve teachers’ instructional approaches. Our Curriculum TOSA team is assigned by grade span (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12), and content area (English, Math, History, Science). Collaboration with a TOSA can be arranged by a teacher contacting a TOSA directly, or contacting the Curriculum Department. While working with a TOSA is voluntary, sites may request a TOSA to work with a teacher or teacher team. Regardless of the origin of the request, all communication is intended to remain confidential between the TOSA and the teacher, since trust is of paramount importance when trying to improve the skills related to teaching.

Beyond working in the classroom with teachers to improve instructional practice, our TOSA team may be contacted to clarify questions related to curriculum development, since they work directly with site-level teams to help establishing a guaranteed and viable curriculum across the district. Additionally, workshop opportunities presented by our TOSA team are scheduled throughout the year, and participation is often voluntary. Teachers should communicate with site administration since some sessions are encouraged. Workshops also provide opportunity for follow-up sessions with a TOSA on a more individual level. The intent of our TOSA support is to work with individuals and teams in helping teachers establish goals for improvement, and move toward those goals in a collaborative manner.