The Coweta County School System, school board members and community organizations hosted 126 new teachers at an annual breakfast and orientation at the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts Friday morning.

Coweta’s new school year begins Friday, August 4 for students.  School faculty report to schools for pre-planning on Tuesday, August 1.

New teachers were treated to breakfast by a number of community sponsors  Friday morning, before being given an overview of the school system and returning to their schools for additional orientation. The Bank of North Georgia, BB&T, Barnes and Noble, Coweta Cities and County Financial Credit Union, Fidelity Bank, the Georgia Association of Educators, PAGE, Southern Credit Union, United Bank, Valic, ValuTeachers and Wells Fargo sponsored Friday’s breakfast and provided gifts for new teachers.

Thursday’s Induction program was organized by the Coweta County School System’s Human Resources Department, and hosted by Assistant Superintendent Vince Bass. Superintendent Steve Barker and Assistant Superintendent Mark Guy introduced Board of Education members and system staff.

  “Welcome to Coweta County,” said Barker, who emphasized the importance of the school system’s Mission, Vision and Beliefs, and the importance of teachers to approach their duties and students with high expectations.

“Give your best, every day.  They deserve it,” said Barker.  “Expect excellence… students rise to high expectations.  And most importantly, believe in all of your students.  Every one.”

Coweta County curriculum directors Karen Barker and Schwanda Jackson covered Coweta County School’s Mission, Vision and Beliefs, and the county’s academic trends and priorities.  Public Policy Director Mark Whitlock gave teachers an overview of the county school system and its major initiatives.

Teachers and their principals returned to their schools afterward for further training, to cover system policies and the teacher handbook, school safety protocols, school evacuation and emergency plans, student information systems, student confidentiality, teacher evaluations, and opportunities for collegial conversations before the start of pre-planning on Tuesday.

Coweta County School System Principals introduced their new teachers. Most welcomed just a few teachers, though East Coweta High School Principal Steve Allen introduced 26 new faculty members.  Newnan High School Principal Chase Puckett introduced 19 new teachers to the school, noting they are joining NHS at the high school plans to graduate its 130th class.

White Oak Elementary School Principal Andy Clarke welcomed one new face to his school – Tiffany Gill, and English Language Learners teacher who has taught in Hall County School for several years. Clarke noted that Gill – a University of Georgia graduate – is also an alumnus of East Coweta High School, Arnall Middle and White Oak Elementary.

“I’m a Newnan girl,” said Gill.  “I’m coming home.”