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Rewarding First Year Teachers
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(BRADENTON FL - February 20, 2006) Cindy Richardson used to be a teacher's aide and Denise Touchberry used to be an engineer. Now, Cindy is a teacher at Stewart Elementary and Denise is a teacher at Witt Elementary. On Tuesday, February 20, Cindy and Denise were among approximately 30 first-year teachers from across the district who were treated to a New Teacher Appreciation Celebration held at Manatee Community College's Lakewood Ranch campus. The celebration was organized by the district's Professional Development Department. “The school year is half over and this was just a chance to get the new teachers together to let them know that we appreciate them and support them,” said Dr. Lynn Gillman, Director of Professional Development. |
After a reception with refreshments where the first-year teachers visited with each other, the group gathered in an auditorium where they were addressed by Superintendent Roger Dearing, Assistant Superintendent Lynette Edwards, Executive Director of Support and Intervention Services Fran Padgett and Executive Director of Academics Merrie Lynn Parker. Dr. Dearing and the other speakers recalled some of their fond memories from their times as teachers and emphasized the fact that the district was doing whatever it could to support their efforts in the classroom. As each of the first-year teachers left the celebration, they received a certificate and a colorful gift bag containing a coffee mug and the book, “Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul.” Cindy and Denise both said they really appreciated the district's show of support and that they love being teachers. “When you see students come into school for the first time with no structure, and then they begin to read and write; it's just very fulfilling,” Denise said.
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