As we prepare to enter another new school year, Benton Community has welcomed a new group of teachers to support our system in providing A Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning. This year, Benton welcomed 22 new teachers. There are a variety of onboarding opportunities new staff engage in as they get started here.
Teachers new to Benton spent time with Dr. Pam Ewell, Superintendent, and her office staff in learning about our district mission and vision and the logistics of getting started as a Bobcat. This time serves as a positive entry into the system with a wealth of information on the human resources components offered at Benton.
Next, the teachers new to Benton were picked up on a school bus full of teacher leaders and administrators. We were able to have lunch together and then head out on a district-wide bus tour. The weather was beautiful for being outside and on a school bus. Teachers were able to visit about their summer, what’s going well in their lives, their children, and more. We were also able to discuss additional pieces that seem to be highlights throughout the year such as the Bobcat Homecoming and Veterans Day assembly. Based on the “buzz” on the bus, it was clear that the experience provided a great opportunity to enjoy meaningful conversation. This experience also provided all new teachers the opportunity to see where the students we serve live and know each of the communities that students come to us from. The goal of the bus tour was to create opportunities for meaningful connections amongst adults and support our adults in making those connections with the students they serve by knowing the communities they reside in.
Other support offered to new teachers include one-on-one sessions with the district Instructional Coaches. These sessions provide new teachers with time and support in getting to know the curricular resources they’ll be using, grading practices, logistics in navigating the building, and more. New teachers have also had the opportunity to engage in summer learning sessions with other district teachers and received additional time to work in their classrooms and get acclimated to their new space. Many of these new teachers come with years of teaching experience. Those in their first or second years of teaching also receive coaching from an Induction Coach as part of the Grant Wood AEA Mentoring and Induction Consortium.
We all work to make Benton Community A Place to Belong and hope that our new teachers feel this as much as our students will as they begin another new school year on August 23rd.