September 03, 2008 07:50 am
—
By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer
SIDNEY _ New and experienced teachers said
they were enthusiastic about the start of the school
year during Tuesday’s superintendent’s conference
days at many area schools. The first day of classes
for many districts is today.
Faculty at Sidney Central and Oneonta City
schools said they were
energized by what they
heard from presenters.
“I’m more excited
than nervous,” said
Michelle Cipriano, who
said she is starting her
teaching career as a
high school earth science
teacher at Sidney.
The school spent more than an hour on a presentation
that included staff participation on building a
united school of character.
Sidney Superintendent
Sandra Cooper said the
program is based upon
feedback from students
and is an effort to make
sure “we are all going to
work together to model
behaviors that are part of
good character.”
This includes fostering
an atmosphere of honesty,
integrity and accountability,
as well as respect,
among faculty staff and students,
she said.
There are 13 new teachers
on a teaching staff of
134, she said.
“The school has been
very open to its new teachers,”
said Cipriano. “All
the staff has been very welcoming.”
Everyone is working toward
the same goal, she
said. “They want to provide
an opportunity for students
to achieve,” she said.
Meghan Slack is a
middle school technology
teacher at the school. This
is her second year teaching,
having started in Baltimore
City schools.
“I’m looking forward to
the change,” she said. “I’m
interested in working with
a smaller, more close-knit
faculty, staff and students.”
Claudia Jenkins is a 27-
year veteran at Sidney. She
teachers 6th grade social
studies.
“I am always nervous
and excited about the first
day of school,” she said. But
she was “energized” by the
presentation that aimed
“to make this a successful
year for our students and
faculty.”
The message was similar
at the Oneonta City School
District, where Superintendent
Michael Shea urged
staff in a presentation at
the high school to look for
the John Adams in all students.
The story about the
youth of the second president
is instructive because
as a young boy, the future
leader was not interested
in schooling, said Shea.
“A teacher took an interest
in him, and turned him
around,” Shea said.
Valleyview academic intervention
service teacher
Janice Pidgeon, who is
starting her 22nd year of
teaching, said, “It’s nice to
start the year with a goal
like that.”
There are 200 teachers
in the district and eight are
new this year, he said.
This includes Julia Iannello,
a first-year librarian
at Valleyview elementary.
“I’ve been impressed
with the school’s mentoring
program, and all they’ve
done to prepare teachers,”
she said.
Teresa Burr, a firstyear
art teacher at Greater
Plains and Center Street,
said she is looking forward
to sharing her excitement
about her subject with students.
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