Focused squarely on building a future grounded on positive relationships, Killeen ISD welcomed 421 new teachers to a new school year.
Superintendent Jo Ann Fey and School Board President Brett Williams congratulated the new educators for choosing a profession that will shape the future and inspire a generation.
New teachers joined their campus principals, mentor teachers and top administrators Monday at the district’s annual New Teacher Induction at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
Beginning her second year as superintendent, Fey took the moment to share ongoing efforts to build a framework with clear goals and a common path to making a great school district outstanding.
She identified three priorities – “the Super Three.”
She talked first about Capturing Kids Hearts, a program that helps overcome conflict and build trust through building strong relationships.
The other two priorities include the system scorecard, a strategic plan that balances student performance, staff needs and district finances and developing new leaders internally.
“I applaud you for your decision to come work for a truly great district because someday it’s going to be a phenomenal district,” said Fey.
“As teachers, you shape and mold the future. I urge you to always do so with energy, passion and an unwavering support for your students. You will have a profound impact on your students for years to come and the students may have an impact on you for years to come.”
During his charge to new teachers, the school board president shared powerful moments from his past.
He recently discovered that his eighth-grade coach kept a thank-you letter from Williams written decades ago. He also interacted earlier this month with his seventh-grade reading teacher, still proud of him many years later.
“Each of you has an opportunity to position yourself to have that type of impact on a child’s life and you are positioning yourself to be impacted like that by someone in your classroom.”
Williams urged teachers to be ready for students excited to get back to learning and those who are dreading the end of summer.
“You are the tone-setter. You are the expectation creator. I encourage each of you to place an emphasis on establishing a relationship with each of your students,” he said.
“Have your students verbalize to you,” he said, emphasizing the importance of listening when building connections. “Listening equals learning.”
He recommended to teachers to find a mentor, to set regular personal goals and to invest in professional development beyond what the school district provides.
“Every day is the day, and that day can make or break the future of a student,” he said.
Fey seized on the power of special moments, introducing the district’s two most recent teachers of the year. She recalled the excitement their students expressed when the teachers won the surprise honors last spring.
“Teaching is so important,” said Maude Moore Wood Elementary teacher Keisha Lovell, KISD elementary teacher of the year.
“We get to build our future innovators, leaders and active citizens,” she said. “I’m inspired most when I witness student growth. You can see the sparks of excitement and understanding in their eyes.”
Teaching, she said, “is about building relationships, being a motivator, a mentor and a cheerleader.”
Harker Heights High School choir director Spencer Wiley, KISD secondary teacher of the year told his younger peers they would find powerful opportunities to connect with their students.
“What’s interesting is the most important lesson I’ve learned after 17 years of teaching has nothing to do with music or singing. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that those moments you can make genuine connections with your students are the most important.”
The induction ceremony opened three days of training for new KISD staff members. Returning experienced teachers will join them on Thursday.
Following two weeks of professional development and other preparation, school begins for students Aug. 14.
NTI Photo Gallery:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720319225214/
