1st ever Teacher Signing Day celebrates profession, 10 new hires

Some of St. Charles Parish's new teachers put pen to paper on the first ever Teacher Signing Day.

Student athletes across the country signed their official collegiate letters of intent Dec. 18, and in St. Charles Parish it was no exception. But the parish’s school system decided to expand on that concept a little bit, in doing so showing excitement and appreciation for several new teachers entering the fold.

St. Charles Parish Public Schools held its first ever Teacher Signing Day ceremony as new teaching hires “committed” to the district’s students and signed their contracts.

Much like a traditional athletic signing day ceremony, new hires sat at a table at the Professional Learning Center in Luling with their soon to be signed papers in front of them. Breakfast was served just before the official start to the ceremony, when the signing commenced. Each teacher was introduced, members of the district spoke and a video was shown recognizing the importance of the profession.

The idea behind the event was to show an appreciation for those committing themselves to the craft of education and who have elected to do so for the students of St. Charles Parish.

“Much of our society today has lost the perspective of the true value and significance of our teachers,” said Tobi Flair, human resources recruiting specialist for St. Charles Parish Public Schools. “The thought behind this initiative and event comes from a place of reverence and respect for educators. The fact that a human being on this planet chooses to  commit him/herself to a profession that requires selflessness, dedication, perseverance, vision, constant reflection, creativity and an innate drive to change lives … we believe that deserves not only recognition but celebration.”

Ten new teachers were signed in all to join the education force in the parish: Allison Breaux (Destrehan High), Stacy Meyers (Hahnville High), Martha Catherine Bosch (R.K. Smith Middle), Gabrielle Champagne (St. Rose Elementary), Karina Garcia (Luling Elementary), Alicia Gutierrez (Lakewood Elementary), Jeanie Savoie (Luling Elementary), Halie LeBlanc (Luling Elementary), Claire Jones (New Sarpy Elementary) and Katelynn Schonekas (New Sarpy Elementary).

Meyers said she was “blown away” by the gesture and overall spirit the district has shown in welcoming herself and the other new teachers.

“ I have been looking forward to my first days with Hahnville High School and yesterday’s event set the tone for what I hope, and imagine, will be a wonderful working relationship both with the parish and the community I will serve,” Meyers said, adding she hopes the event will be replicated by other districts in the future.

Flair said the plan is for this to become a bi-annual event, with one occurring at the end of each Fall and Spring semester.

University supervisors and directors from LSU, Nicholls, Southeastern and LRCE (Louisiana Resource Center for Educators) attended the event and were recognized as well, Flair noting the school district’s university partnerships have cultivated a pipeline of career development in the education profession, with each college offering dual enrollment credits to high school students, and the district offering experience in the field in return. Six of the signees at last week’s ceremonies were student teachers in St. Charles Parish over the Fall semester.

We cannot put high quality, impactful teachers in our classrooms without the support and partnership of our Universities and Preparation providers,” Flair said.

 

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