Teaching in Turlock

The Turlock Unified School District contains nine elementary sites, one junior high school, a middle school, two comprehensive high schools, a continuation high school and and independent study high school. We serve a diverse student population. Socioeconomically we have students from very affluent families, some from impoverished backgrounds, and most from middle income families. Ethnically about 55% of our students are White, approximately 40% are Hispanic, with smaller percentages of Asians and African Americans. A significant number of the White students are Assyrians, an ethnic group that has retained its unique culture and language for thousands of years.

We have reduced class sizes to a maximum of 20 students in grades kindergarten through third. Class sizes for grades 4-12 average approximately 30 students.

Our salaries are significantly above average, but they are not the highest. Much of our financial resources are committed to ensure excellent working/learning conditions for teachers and students. Our teachers and students enjoy modern, clean and well supplied classrooms. Our campuses are attractive, pleasant and safe learning environments. All classrooms are air conditioned.

Significant financial support is also provided to maximize our staff development. Mentor teachers are assigned to assist all new teachers. All staff are encouraged and expected to update their skills. The districts provide a comprehensive array of evening staff development programs which enable teachers to both improve their expertise and advance on the salary schedule. Release time and funding is also available for staff to attend workshops and conferences.

Our teachers are assigned minimal supervision duties to enable them to focus on student learning. All secondary teachers have a daily preparation period. Every Wednesday is a "minimum day" at our K-6 sites to give those teachers a weekly prep period.

Most of our K-6 elementary schools are on a Year Round Education Schedule. Two of our K-6 schools are on a traditional schedule. All of our intermediate and secondary schools are on a traditional schedule.

Turlock is simply a great place to teach. We annually receive employment applications from dozens of teachers in other nearby districts, but we seldom have any of our teachers depart to seek employment elsewhere.