About

200 teachers new to the Fayette County School

System are learning to "Take this Job and

Love It," according to the header for a

five-day orientation session staged at the

LaFayette Education Center.

Terri

Gaspierik, director of staff development, said

the indoctrination, conducted last week, is being

run like a mini-conference. "We have seven

sessions for new and veteran teachers which are

taught by teachers in the system," she

explained.

Subjects

covered during the large group sessions include

safety, ethics and communications, followed by

break-out sessions in curriculum development by

grade and content area. Attendees also may select

two classes of special interest, according to

Gaspierik.

There

is a class designed specifically for special

education teachers on writing individual

education plans for students and others offered

in teaching methods for connecting with

children's multiple intelligences and brain

compatibility.

An

overview on preparing students for the writing

assessment and a session on dressing for success

round out the program.

Teachers

also spent a full day at their assigned schools

where they will meet with their mentors and

familiarize themselves with procedures unique to

the school.

"We

also ask the mentors to drive the teachers around

the community so they can see where things are

and where the kids are coming from,"

Gaspierik added.

There

are 24 newly created teaching positions this year

in the school system. Gaspeirik said about half

of the new teachers were gained through

attrition.

Fayette

County schools will open Monday, Aug. 14.

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