Our Purpose

The Modesto City Schools Academy is dedicated to empowering employees with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. Aligned with MCS Strategic Goal 5, the Academy supports the recruitment, training, and retention of high-quality staff by fostering a culture that values all employees. Through targeted professional development, the MCS Academy prepares staff for career advancement, ensuring they are equipped to meet evolving demands and contribute effectively to the educational community. This commitment to excellence ensures that staff members are ready for future leadership opportunities.

If on-the-job training is part of the program, MCS will make a good-faith effort to provide release time for current employees effected by COVID reductions, including opportunities for job shadowing.

Classified Staff Programs

Program

Term (Hours)

Cost

Contact Information

Pathway to Paraprofessional:
Current MCS employees interested in becoming classroom paraprofessionals (TK, Kinder, SH, Autism, etc. ) receive professional development to prepare them for the classroom.

12-15

$0

Resource: Information Flyer

Contact:
📧Jimenez.T@monet.k12.ca.us

Classified to Certificated:
Classified employees who are interested in earning their degree in teaching are supported with monthly meetings, and if they qualify, with up to $4800 a year to help offset the cost of tuition. 

Varies based on school credits needed

Varies based on choice of school

Contact:
📧Nego.D@monet.k12.ca.us

Bus Operators:
The MCS Transportation Academy is designed to support classified staff members in earning their Class B Commercial Driver’s License and School Bus Driver’s Certificate. The program features an in-house Transportation Trainer who provides focused classroom instruction and hands-on behind-the-wheel training, preparing participants for their certification's written and driving portions.

50+

Approx. $150*

*Most reimbursable by MCS upon receiving your license

Contact:
📧Adams.E@monet.k12.ca.us

Clerical:
The MCS Clerical Academy trains classified staff members in essential administrative skills, including time management, organization, communication, and customer service. It equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in an administrative assistant role.

20+

$0

Contact:
📧Nego.D@monet.k12.ca.us

Translator:
The MCS Translator Academy will equip our potential TC-II and TC-III staff members with specialized training in SPED (Special Education), CWA (Child Welfare and Attendance), and SSS (Student Support Services) vocabulary. This will prepare them to provide excellent customer service, as well as high-quality translations and interpretations for our bilingual (Spanish-speaking) families, students, and staff.

8+

$0

Contact:
📧Nego.D@monet.k12.ca.us

Classified Leadership Academy:
The Modesto City Schools Classified Leadership Academy is a transformative professional development program designed to empower and nurture the growth of our dedicated classified staff members. This academy is committed to unlocking your full potential, fostering leadership skills, and cultivating a culture of excellence within our school community.

20+

$0

Contact:
📧 Nego.D@monet.k12.ca.us

ECE Careers:
MCS has partnered with UC Merced Extension to provide the opportunity to earn 12 Early Childhood Education (ECE) units at no cost to participants. The cohort consists of 4 core ECE classes which can count towards the 24 ECE unit requirement for TK teachers and towards the educational requirements for Child Development teacher and associate teacher permits needed to work in ECE.

Varies based on school credits needed

$0

Contact:
📞 ECE Office: 209-574-1625

Certificated Staff Programs

Program

Term (Hours)

Cost

Contact Information

Teacher Induction:
MCS certificated staff participate in a two-year program to clear their credential. Candidates are provided a 1:1 mentor and attend regular meetings to help them complete the coursework. 

40+

$0

Contact:
📧Bergman.G@monet.k12.ca.us

Aspiring Administrators:
This program is designed to support teachers and other certificated staff in becoming leaders at your site and to create a pipeline of leaders from the classroom into administration. Participation includes 4 days of professional learning and mentorship throughout the school year.

24

$0

Resources:
2024 -2025 MCS ADMIN DATES AND TIMES


Contact:
📧Hinkle.D@monet.k12.ca.us

Management Staff Programs

Program

Term (Hours)

Cost

Contact Information

Admin Induction:
Modesto City Schools proudly presents its fully accredited Administrator Induction Program, designed to support new school leaders in their professional journey. This comprehensive two-year program pairs candidates with experienced, trained administrators within our district, providing mentorship and guidance. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully clear their preliminary credentials 

60+

$0

Contact:
📧Calderon.E@monet.k12.ca.us

Future Principals:
Future Principals is part of a continuum of support for educators in Assistant Principal and Vice Principal positions with the ultimate goal of recruiting, hiring, retaining, and training highly qualified professionals. This four-day program will help to prepare APs/VPs for the principal position. If you are considering your next steps and have had two or more successful years as a VP/AP, this may be a great opportunity for you!

24

$0

Resources:
2024 -2025 MCS ADMIN DATES AND TIMES


Contact:
📧Hinkle.D@monet.k12.ca.us

New Principals:
This training program for new principals equips leaders with essential skills in instructional leadership, staff management, and data-driven decision-making to foster a positive school culture and improve student outcomes.

40

$0

Resources:
2024 -2025 MCS ADMIN DATES AND TIMES


Contact:
📧 Shroyer.A@monet.k12.ca.us

Student to Staff Programs

Program

Term (Hours)

Cost

Program Information

Senior to Paraprofessional: Graduating seniors are given an opportunity to receive training during Spring break and the summer after graduating, to become classroom paraprofessionals.

30+

$0

Resources:
Informational Flyer

Contact:
📧Jimenez.T@monet.k12.ca.us

  • MCS Certificate of Completion:

    • Includes a transcript of the learning.

    • The certificate can be added to your Edjoin profile

  • If on-the-job training is part of the program, MCS will make a good-faith effort to provide release time for current employees, including opportunities for job shadowing.

  • All professional development (PD) hours will count towards a participant's 6-hour PD initiative requirement if completed outside of the normal work day.