With the excitement of a new school year right around the corner, Emanuel County Schools held a New Employee Orientation Monday, July 25, at Swainsboro High School to welcome over 70 new employees, including 30 new teachers, to ECS’s family. The employees began the day with a continental breakfast prepared and served by Swainsboro High School’s Nutrition Department.
Superintendent Scotty Hattaway kicked off the day by welcoming the employees to our system. When asked about his message to new employees, Superintendent Hattaway states, “I will quote Jimmy Casas, ‘Every student is one caring adult away from achieving greatness!’ Our students need us to be at the top of our game each and every day! They need you! Know your why and always circle back to your why! Believe that Public Education can change the world for good and that you can be an instrument of that change. BELIEVE!!! Now, go be great this year!”
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Denise Warnock and directors also welcomed the staff. They expanded on the superintendent’s message of the importance of relationships by explaining their support roles and commitment to employee relations. Other special guests presented on a variety of deserving topics. Human Resource Director Teri Burke comments, “Emanuel County Schools has been blessed with several new teachers for this upcoming school year, and I am excited to begin working with each of them. “We want our new employees to commit to the Emanuel County School System, so today is important. Before committing, they must understand our organization and why we do what we do. We aim to make them feel welcome and communicate why they are essential to our school system. Understanding the supports available to them will help them be their best for our students”, said Tammy Gray, Teacher Induction Coordinator and Public Relations Specialist.
Following all presentations, employees met ECS’s Instructional Coaches Kay Hooks, Selena Reynolds, Jodi Singletary, Dena Walden, Diane Ward, and April Woods, who showed excitement for the new school year. Veteran teachers selected as mentors for first-year teachers and teachers new to our system joined their mentees and other employees for lunch. These committed teachers serving as mentors donated their time to have fellowship with the mentees. The delightful lunch was sponsored by Dale Alexander with Alexander and Company and was prepared by Janna Gay Tucker with All the Fixin’s. Following the fellowship and lunch, teachers returned to their respective schools to meet with their Instructional Coaches.
