MMSD Welcomes Almost 300 New Educators at Annual Orientation

The cheers, claps and music at the entrance of Vel Phillips Memorial High School could be heard from across the parking lot as almost 300 educators walked into the first day of their orientation.

“This is what the Olympians in Paris must have felt like walking into their stadium,” one teacher joked as he filled out his name tag. 

Each August, MMSD’s New Educator Orientation welcomes school-based educators with three days of connection, curriculum and resources as they prepare for their first year in the District. Staff pick up their laptops, meet with their specific instruction groups and collaborate with colleagues  and mentors.

MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, Deputy Superintendent Dr. TJ McCray and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Cindy Green spoke to the auditorium full of educators each morning, emphasizing the importance of community-building and centering students in their work. Executive Director of Professional Learning Lachele Fisher said she witnessed staff growing important relationships from day one. 

“You just can't jump into your role in isolation,” Fisher said. “You need to pull people together in a community to make sure that everybody is getting what they need.”

In their first few days in MMSD, new educators said they have already felt connections to both fellow staff and the District’s Strategic Framework Goals. 

Reggie Patterson, who subbed in MMSD last year, will now teach physical education at Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary School.

"They allow you to be yourself here, which I really like,” Patterson said. “I can be who I want to be.” 

Maddy McMahon will start her first year teaching seventh-grade science at O'Keeffe Middle School, where she completed her student teaching.

"I didn't grow up in this District, but it's always been the place I wanted to work, so I’m really happy to be here,” McMahon said. “There’s an understanding here that school is more than just a place students go to learn and go home, and we need to be supportive of all students.”

The orientation ended with even more cheering for new educators during a halftime celebration at Memorial’s first home football game of the season.