THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508250192
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Back to School
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
One hundred twenty-five new teachers were welcomed to the city Thursday by Mayor William E. Ward and representatives of the Chesapeake School Board, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Chesapeake Education Association.
``This day is the culmination of a year's worth of recruiting by the personnel department to find the best teachers for our students,'' said William Myers, assistant superintendent for personnel and support services, said at the welcoming breakfast at Indian River High School. ``You are a select group, and we employed you because we believe you will make a commitment to our children.''
The new teachers come from 43 colleges and universities from 20 states. Thirty-seven of them hold masters degrees, and 75 of them will head their own classrooms for the first time.
One of those teachers is Karen Connor, a fifth-grade language arts teacher who was recruited by the school system last December while still a student at Old Dominion University, Norfolk.
``I grew up here, and I knew I wanted to stay here'' Connor said. ``Chesapeake is the only school district I applied for. I think it's the finest district in the region.''
Addressing the teachers, Ward challenged them to provide the best possible care for city students while respecting the wide variety of backgrounds they will come from.
Despite the work they have ahead of them, the teachers say they are prepared. But many admitted they have first-day jitters.
``I'm ready for the year, but not the first week,'' Connor said. ``If I can make it through the first week, I know I'll survive.'' by CNB