An enthusiastic welcome, motivational pep talk and sage advice from seasoned educators made up Killeen ISD’s annual New Teacher Induction Monday at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
Twenty-one days before the start of the new school year, KISD’s newest teachers gathered with senior district leaders, campus administrators and other mentors for breakfast and official welcome.
See photos at www.killeenisd.org/photos
As a sort of introductory greeting, Executive Director of Student Support Services Micah Wells guided various groups among the 300-plus new teachers to stand.
They enter KISD from here in Killeen, other parts of Texas, other states throughout the nation and a handful from outside the United States, including from China, the Philippines and Ghana, to name a few locations.
While many of the newcomers are beginning their first year of teaching, others come with anywhere from one to 30-plus years of experience.
Superintendent King Davis, an educator with more than 30 years’ experience came out of retirement a year ago to take the top administrative post in KISD. He joined new Deputy Superintendent Donald Stewart and KISD teachers of the year Halli Richards and Savannah Carr in offering up words of encouragement and motivation.
“Students may not remember every lesson we teach,” said Davis, “but they will remember how we made them feel. They will remember whether we believed in them.”
“Great teachers,” said Stewart, “are the foundation of our nation. Our students’ gifts, talents and careers are discovered in your classrooms.”
Skipcha Elementary School teacher Richards and Ellison High School teacher Carr urged the new teachers to seek out colleagues to share the wide range of joys and disappointments through the year.
“What truly inspires me is watching (students) grow as people,” said Richards. Challenges will come, but so will victories.
“The smile of a student who finally understands a concept, the excitement of reaching a goal, or the simple words, ‘Thank you,’ make it all worthwhile.”
Every teacher, including the most experienced, said Carr, has trying days. “Real teaching is messy,” she said, explaining that teachers learn to change lesson plans, to eat lunch while answering messages and to keep celebrating every victory.
“Your students don’t need a perfect teacher,” she said. “They need a teacher who shows up, who cares about them and who keeps trying.”
Gabriela Rosario is a new fourth-grade teacher at Haynes Elementary School. She is transitioning from working as a paraprofessional in the district.
“I’ve been going through school and I feel ready now,” she said. “I’m excited to finally be a teacher.”
Rosario said she appreciated the message about the importance of leaning on colleagues to do the hard work of teaching students every day. “My administration has been very welcoming with open arms and I feel very welcome.”
Meljovin Dela Cruz is a new special education teacher at Alice Douse Elementary School. He moved to Central Texas from the Philippines.
“It’s awesome. I’m excited to share my experience from my home country,” said Dela Cruz. “I’m excited to meet my fellow teachers before getting started. Also, I’m excited to see my classroom to have it prepared for the children for the coming school year.”
While new teachers began work Monday, experienced teachers return Aug. 3 for training and preparation. Elementary schools host Meet the Teacher Aug. 13. The first day of school for all KISD students is Aug. 17.