By Timothy Stanford, Abbey Stoneman, and Michael Props
Twenty-nine newly hired teachers have filled faculty vacancies.
The English Department, which hired four new teachers, and Foreign Language Department, which hired three new teachers had the greatest number of positions to be filled.
Teachers who have filled staff vacancies will also assume responsibility in 11 coaching positions and six club sponsorships. Two coaching positions and three sponsor positions remain unfilled.
Among the 29 newly hired teachers, 15 have no experience as a teacher. They are either career switchers or recent college graduates.
Associate Principal Nicholas Barlett said 123 instructional positions have been filled, but the job was not easy.
“There have been some hic-ups along the way,” Mr. Barlett said.
The hiccups included the recent hurricane.
“Hurricane Irene only gave teachers about three to four days to prepare for their first day of school,” Mr. Barlett said.
The hurricane took time from the teachers’ preparation of their rooms and lessons for the opening of school.
Senior Drew Bolen has two new teachers. He said that new teachers try to make learning fun. They celebrate birthdays and use online materials.
“They organize the way we work differently than most teachers at school,” Drew said.
New English teacher Caroline Wheeler said she spends a lot of time preparing so that her students get the best learning experience. She said she wants to stay at Varina and teach her students to be more creative.
“I had other jobs in the real world, and as the years went on, I realized I wanted to do something that made me happy,” Mrs. Wheeler said.
Although some teachers retire or change careers, stress can be a factor in a teacher’s decision to leave the faculty.
“Teaching can be a very stressful job which could result in turnovers,” Mr. Barlett said.
To reduce tension and increase teacher retention, all first-year teachers are assigned to a mentor to help them for two years.
Math teacher and mentor coordinator Jessica Meade matches new teachers with more experienced ones. The mentors provide support and help with lesson plans. Ms. Meade said new teachers often come to Varina because of the mentor program.
“We give them anything, information wise, that they need,” Ms. Meade said.
Another support for new teachers is Jam Pact Week, which includes training, facility tours and explanation of rules and guidelines. Teachers receive training on campus technologies: School Space, Winschool and Promethean Boards.
Director of Student Activities Kevin Adams said that it was easier to fill coaching positions than club sponsor positions.
“I think coaching will take care of its self. We may not get the best coach or the one that we want, but we will fill the position,” Mr. Adams said.
The new teachers, coaches and sponsors have to learn the essentials of school life as the students learn them.
Freshman Erica Pierce said new teachers are energetic about school.
“We can help each other to learn about the school,” Erica said.
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