The Coweta County School System has 129 new teachers who were welcomed by the Coweta County Board of Education and others on July 30.
School system spokesman Dean Jackson said the teachers were introduced by their principals and attended a breakfast the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts before being given an overview of the school system and returning to their schools for additional training.
“Welcome to Coweta County. It is a great place to work and teach,” said Superintendent Steve Barker. “Take it seriously. Enjoy it. We are glad you’re here. ”
Barker and school board members thanked the new teachers for coming to Coweta schools. Barker reminded them of the “tremendous responsibility” that comes with being entrusted to teach, said Jackson.
Barker said that a teacher’s top responsibility was to “love kids, first,” and to enter their classrooms every day well-prepared to teach their students. That sense of dedication and hard work is crucial to fulfilling the school system’s vision to “ensure the success of each student,” said Barker.
Coweta County curriculum directors Karen Barker and Therese Reddekopp covered Coweta County School’s mission, vision and beliefs, and the county’s academic trends and priorities. Public Policy Director Mark Whitlock gave teachers an overview of the county school system and its major initiatives. Teachers and their principals then returned to their schools for further training..
“We actually have quite a bit to cover with new faculty,” said White Oak Elementary School Principal Andy Clarke, who is training two new first grade teachers and a new fifth grade teacher this year.
