New Wayside Elementary Staff Excited For School Year

The first month of school can be exciting, intimidating and overwhelming for many new teachers and school staff. Time management, getting to know the students and their learning styles, adjusting to a school’s routines, living up to expectations – all present challenges for the inexperienced educator.   

This year, .

“They are all so enthusiastic and have worked over the summer to be ready for the students,” said Wayside Principal Yong-Mi Kim. “I am thrilled with the new additions to my staff.”

The new Wayside staff members had a lot to say about their first weeks of school, and how they handled the opening day. Through the preparation of establishing routines and searching for advice from other staff members, they felt more than ready to begin their first year at Wayside.  

New fifth grade teachers Stefanie Herndon and Sherri Chester knew that managing a classroom of children would be challenging.

“I established a routine right away,” Herndon said. “I studied the articulation cards like crazy, so I could match names with faces. However, many kids had grown up a lot over the summer, so they didn’t necessarily look exactly like their pictures.”

Chester also found a rhythm that works for her. “I like arriving early and staying late,” Chester said. “I complete my work before I go home and also have time to consult with the fifth grade team.”  

Consulting with other teachers is something that many new-hires at Wayside found helpful.

“The Wayside staff has been incredibly caring and helpful in coming to me with suggestions and ideas,” Chester said.

Jill Neustadt-Costa is the new staff development teacher and said that she had to learn how to juggle all the demands on her time. “I wear a lot of different hats, and I am called on each day for a variety of tasks,” she said. One thing that has helped her was support and advice from other staff members.

Ashlie Arndt, a new kindergarten teacher, said that she received a lot of help with lesson plans and setting up her classroom from the other kindergarten teachers.

“I am impressed with the Wayside community and how supportive they are for everyone on the staff,” said Lakeisha Lashley, a new principal intern. “I love it here.”

Personal preparedness and the support coming from other staff members allowed teachers to relax and a fun first week of school.

Arndt said she was impressed by the quality of her students. “Usually the kids have to adjust to a full day of kindergarten, but my students came ready to learn,” Arndt said. “Most know how to read and understand basic math skills.”

Students enjoyed themselves, too.

“I received several hand-written letters from parents telling me their child had a wonderful first week,” said kindergarten teacher, Melanie Clubbs.