Many new teachers welcomed to district at orientation

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — After losing more than 20 teachers to retirement at the end of the school year, a number of new teachers were welcomed to the school system Tuesday at a teacher-to-teacher orientation held at the Middle School. At the end of this past school year, the school committee celebrated the careers of 21 retiring school teachers and three paraprofessional employees. Since that time, six more teachers have resigned to work in other school districts, which left several more vacancies that were filled over summer vacation with both new and veteran teachers from across the state. According to Cathy Goguen, a mentor at the orientation, there were more new teachers at this year’s orientation than usual. “We have a mix of brand-new teachers and veteran teachers who are coming in from other districts,” said Ms. Goguen. “We have a one-day orientation and we do a couple of things. We talk about simple procedures and common practices within the district, and it is also a chance for them to get to meet each other and the administrators. They kind of get a feeling of what will be expected of them and what they should be expecting of their students.” Because the school district operates with a teacher induction program, all incoming teachers are required to be assigned a mentor or veteran teacher to assist them with any problems they may run into something that Ms. Goguen said is a great help. “Each new teacher that is hired will be assigned to a mentor and throughout the year that will be their go-to person,” said Ms. Goguen. “They will meet on a regular basis with the new teacher as needed and then we meet together as a group a few times.” Also mentoring the orientation was Jeannine Gallant, who said she will use her experience as a teacher in Gardner to help the incoming staff members. “We’re covering school teaching in general, bringing in new teachers who haven’t been in a classroom before. It’s good to have them learn all the different ways that you can handle your classroom,” said Ms. Gallant. “They need to know how to adjust to different situations and how to be an effective teacher.” Although it is an informational session, Ms. Gallant said the orientation also acts as an icebreaker, offering new teachers the opportunity to meet who they will be working with throughout the school year. “This is just a general situation, but I think it is a great first day immersion into the school system itself,” said Ms. Gallant. “They get to see some of the veteran teachers and get to know them and it just makes them feel a little more comfortable.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 8/27/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 203)