Washingtonville’s new teachers get to know their new school community

Washingtonville Central School District’s new teachers got their first look at the schools, people and community they are joining this week during the district’s two-day New Teacher Orientation.

The annual orientation gives incoming teachers a chance to get acquainted with Washingtonville before the school year begins, while introducing them to the people and resources that will support them along the way.

“Beginning any new job brings with it a host of emotions — nerves, excitement, confusion,” Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Lynn Imperato said. “It is my hope that this orientation not only helps new faculty build a supportive network of peers, but also provides them with the practical resources they need to navigate their first few days with confidence.”

New teachers began orientation Tuesday morning with a welcome from district administrators and introductions to some of the people and resources they will work with throughout the district.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Larry Washington’s presentation focused on another part of that support system – the relationships educators build throughout their careers. He centered the conversation around the idea of “marigolds and walnuts,” a metaphor for people who can either help those around them grow or make that growth more difficult.

“Make sure you seek out people who remind you why you got into this profession,” Dr. Washington said.

Teachers reflected on their own “marigolds,” sharing stories about mentors, colleagues and cooperating teachers who encouraged them, challenged them and helped them grow.

For new social studies teacher Louis Bennett, one of those people is recently retired Washingtonville High School teacher Peter Sale, who served as his cooperating teacher during student teaching last year.

“He would always encourage me when I did well, and maybe more importantly, he would never hesitate to let me know what I could improve upon, but in a warm, caring way that didn’t feel like an attack,” Mr. Bennett said. “It was to build me up. He made me a much better teacher.”

Dr. Washington also challenged the district’s new teachers to become marigolds themselves and recognize the role they will play in shaping Washingtonville’s culture.

“You are the people who change culture,” he said. “I need you to be what you said you were going to be.”

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Marguerite Fusco echoed that message, reminding the new teachers that each was selected because of what they could bring to Washingtonville.

“There is something about you that the committee saw that we need,” Ms. Fusco said. “You bring some kind of positive energy, some attribute that we think helps our culture. Be the person who you were in that interview. That’s who we were looking for.”

Dr. Washington connected those ideas about culture and relationships back to the central purpose of their work –  the students. He encouraged the group to protect their own mindset, surround themselves with people who remind them why they chose education and, above all, keep students first.

“Our job is to make sure our students have a good experience in the district,” Dr. Washington said. “That’s our job. That’s our goal.”

The focus on students continued throughout the two-day orientation, with sessions designed to help new teachers build supportive, engaging classrooms and respond to the needs of the students they will serve. Teachers also connected with their mentors, visited their schools and classrooms and took part in a building scavenger hunt as they became more familiar with their new surroundings.