In celebration of teachers – especially those finishing their first year on the job – Killeen ISD on Monday hosted an after-school treat of food, laughs and inspiration.
The district’s 620 new teachers were the guests of honor, along with district and campus leaders and mentor teachers for a New Teacher Celebration at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
Comedy troupe Four-Day Weekend took the stage for most of the event, striking a lighthearted but telling portrait of the challenges and rewards of teaching.
They brought to the stage several “volunteers” from the audience, questioned them about their lives and then performed songs based on their answers.
In another feature, the comedians brought to the stage three educators who had to improvise a presentation on the spot based on wacky photos and messages that flashed on the two large screens in the ballroom.
Chief of Communications and Marketing Taina Maya introduced the event. She praised and welcomed the hard-working teachers and also reminded them to sign their contracts for next year.
Timber Ridge Elementary School first-grade teacher Krista Pace said she has learned a lot and leaned heavily on her peers and leaders this first year in the classroom.
“I’ve had such a supportive administration,” she said as she gathered with cohorts for photos following the event.
“What I’ve enjoyed is building relationships with the kids. What I’ve learned is not to wait until the last minute to prepare,” Pace said.
Stephanie George is finishing her first year of teaching third grade at Cedar Valley Elementary School.
She worked as a barista and nanny before diving into the teaching profession this school year.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” she said. “It’s very rewarding. It’s the hardest job and the best job I’ve ever had.”
George said she’s learning to balance her professional life with her personal life. “It’s natural to bring it home and think about your kids,” she said. “You have to find balance.”
Board of Trustees President Brett Williams charged the new teachers to keep pushing through the hurdles of their multi-faceted profession.
He asked the teachers, with 18 days left in the school year, to consider giving KISD 36 months to get a realistic picture of the privilege of guiding students.
Williams urged the young teachers to find a professional mentor to provide encouragement and wisdom and to consider the value of building relationships, even when uncomfortable.
Most of KISD’s teachers have less than five years’ experience. “We need you to be here seven to 10 years,” he said.
The school board president invited teachers to speak up when they see the need for change in the schools. “Hold us accountable,” he said. “Speak up so we can help make it an environment where you can grow.”
May is Teacher Appreciation Month in KISD. Teacher Appreciation Week dates to 1953. It was formalized as the first full week of May in 1980.
According to a KISD board resolution approved April 25:
“Teachers have exemplified ingenuity, resilience, passion, and strength as we have navigated through unprecedented challenges. Teachers spend countless hours each week making sure that their students have the knowledge necessary to be successful, in and out of the classroom.”
