Jennifer Friel’s kindergarten classroom is going to be decked out in monkeys.
The first-year teacher and Aurora University graduate will teach at Eastview School, which has been converted to an all-day kindergarten class this year.
“It’s amazing how much this district is growing,” said Friel. “The change is great. I’m so glad to be here.”
Friel was one of 105 new teachers and administrators at the Oswego Community Unit School District 308 new teacher orientation breakfast held at Traughber Junior High. The breakfast was sponsored by the Oswego Chamber of Commerce to introduce local businesses to the new teachers.
"We work closely with the school district," said Allied First Bank President Ken Bertrand, there as a representative for the Chamber of Commerce. "We will do whatever we can to help you."
Associate Superintendent Todd Colvin said District 308 has not had this many new hires in more than four years. This year, officials have more than 17,000 kids registered for classes.
New to teaching, Sarah Seconde said she’s most looking forward to new experiences and getting to connect with her students. The eighth-grade math and science teacher at Bednarcik Junior High had subbed and been an aid in the Plano area, and is glad to now be teaching in Oswego.
“It’s a different atmosphere," she said. "Oswego seems so close-knit.”
Jane Alberic, who will be teaching pre-calculus and geometry at Oswego High School, agreed.
“It’s a growing community, but everyone is so friendly. I can’t wait to start building relationships with students," she said.
Melissa Phillips, who will be teaching Spanish at Oswego High School, has a fun goal in mind.
“I want to be known as the crazy Spanish teacher,” she laughed. “I want to make [learning a language] fun.”
Renee Hessing, the newly hired K-5 music teacher at Homestead Elementary, said she feels very blessed to have found a job after just graduating from North Central in June.
“I’m really lucky," she said. "I don’t have to travel and can focus all of my attention on the students at Homestead.”
She’s looking forward to teaching fourth-grade opera.
“The students really take to it,” she said. “It’s always a lot of fun for everyone. I love teaching it.”
Nicole Watson will be working at Long Beach Elementary as a reading specialist for primarily second and third grade students. She has taught previously, and likes working with smaller groups.
“Getting to know the kids individually and help them is very rewarding,” she said.
During the breakfast, Superintendent Dan O'Donnell welcomed the new staff.
“We look forward to seeing all you new teachers join our troop," he said. "We want every child to grow and be the best they can be. It’s a great responsibility, but it’s a great job.”
In This article
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Oswego Community Unit School District 308
4175 State Route 71, Oswego, IL -
Oswego High School
4250 State Route 71, Oswego, IL -
Traughber Jr High School
570 Colchester Dr, Oswego, IL -
Allied First Bank
3201 Orchard Rd, Oswego, IL
Jane Enviere
4:01 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Best wishes to them, but it's really unfortunate that with a job market overflowing with experienced teachers, we are seeing so many new and fairly inexperienced ones entering our district. I'd rather see dollars cut elsewhere so that we can hire experienced educators.
Andrew King
5:01 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Really Jane?? You couldn't just wish them well without being negative towards the School District? Just because there may be new teacher doen't mean that they don't know what they are doing. If every company had the same "experience only" attitudes then we would have a whole world of inexperienced workers. Why not just be happy that the district is hiring teachers to better the district.
Donna Thill
6:26 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
That's a sad statement to read. The only way to gain experience as a new teacher is to BE hired. Experience does not ALWAYS mean better. Of course, in regards to myself and my colleagues at Plank and within the district, our experience makes us amazing educators. New teachers within this group bring varied experiences, education, and teaching strategies. Be proud you were selected and enjoy Oswego students...they are THE best!
Jane Enviere
5:53 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
@Andrew, well -- I don't agree that they are "...hiring teachers to better the district." Not when you consider that there are hundreds (perhaps more!) of experienced teachers seeking re-employment in this state.
As a taxpayer, and a parent with children in the system, I have a right to express my dismay with the choices that are made. Just as I have a right to let them know when I have been happy with my experiences in the school system. I've done both.
When I was an inexperienced professional, I was much different in my position than when I had some years under my belt. Anyone who doesn't recognize that is kidding his or herself. Everyone has to start somewhere, but I'd much rather see an experienced teacher in my child's classroom than a new grad. Either could be ineffective, but I'd lay my money down on the one with some experience.
Seems odd to hire new grads when there are so many experienced teachers out there looking to work. I'd rather spend the money on them than on other things that our district has chosen to fund.
Donna Thill
6:29 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Among these 105 new hires, there are teachers with experience...rich and diverse. Feel free to check it out! The new hires I have met have been intelligent, well spoken, friendly and intelligent people.
Jane Enviere
6:53 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Unfortunately, I have no choice but to "check it out" since one of the inexperienced teachers will greet my child at the classroom door in a week. That also leaves me no choice but to wish her well. It's my child who is at stake.
I can't imagine a reason to hire a new grad other than money, at this point. There is no way that new grads are the better candidate in a job market flooded with experienced teachers. Not buyin' it. And as I already said, either can be ineffective, but I know where I'd put my money. Or, more importantly, my child.
Michele Martin McKenzie
6:53 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
"New" to 308 doesn't always mean "brand new" out of college. In my building, where we have at least 6 or more new teachers, they all have either previous teaching experience or experience as a paraprofessional in the schools. The article is misleading because most of the people interviewed were recent graduates.
Andrew King
7:44 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Great comments Donna and Michelle. It's sad to see so many untrusting people. You never know Jane this "new" teacher that will be greeting your child may be someone who inspires them in ways they have never thought of. It's not only the children that need support from parents, teachers do as well, even the most experienced teachers. I hope that you can support this new teacher rather than be critical. Why don't you see how good this teacher is BEFORE you judge them.
Jane Enviere
8:03 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I think you need to re-read my comments, Andrew. I didn't "judge" anyone. I simply said that I would prefer an experienced teacher over an inexperienced one. I also said that I think it's a shame that new grads are hired when there are experienced teachers flooding the market. It would be disingenuous to argue that with so many experienced educators seeking employment, a new grad is the best candidate. I've also said, twice now, that both can be ineffective. But, for a third time, I'd bet on the experienced teacher first.
Coming from a long line of educators, I have no need for you to explain the need for supporting teachers. But thanks for the tip. lol
L.A.B.
7:53 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
My neighbor is an experienced elementary teacher with 15 years under her belt. She had returned to teaching after staying home with kids. Her district layed her off the year before last due to budget cuts. She was just about to earn tenure. She just finished a master's degree in technology. Her research was based on using technology to help students increase reading comprehension and become better oral readers. It is sad and unfortunate that the degree and experience that make her a better teacher is also keeping her from even being considered for a job. Especially in District 308.
Deb
8:21 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
There was teacher in #308 back in the late 70's early 80's that had taught for over 20 years-very "experienced" I don't know whether she went bonkers later or had always been a strange person-but they could not get rid of her because she was tenured. She was finally placed on sabatical--never to return! So much for experience--give me a newbie with fresh ideas and an eagerness to teach.
Kelly
12:09 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
I think what everyone is looking for here is a "great" teacher, regardless. You don't want an experienced or inexperienced teacher that isn't passionate and excited about teaching the kids. So I guess I'll say that yes, an experienced GREAT teacher would be best, but I'll take an inexperienced GREAT teacher over someone with experience who is simply doing the job to get paid. I met a lot of the latter in my school years and wouldn't want to see my kids going through the same. Jane, I hope your child has a GREAT inexperienced teacher and that they can learn from each other. :)
Sharon O'Brien
7:59 am on Saturday, August 20, 2011
I agree w/ Kelly. All of us need to be more open minded! ....and kids are so resilient. If you come across not liking the teacher, they will too!!!! I think some of you would think differently if you had just finished helping your 20 something child pay for a college education and then they are not able to find a job because they "don't have experience". That is one of the reason's for doing "student teaching". If they were suppervised by a good (older) teacher, they have valuable information!!! Don't be so quick to judge. Didn't you "start" somewhere yourself? We all have to!!!!
KHansen
9:21 am on Saturday, August 20, 2011
Funny that there were so many people outraged that the district was saying that their administrator compensation structure limited their ability to keep experienced administrators around but everybody is so gung ho about hiring cheap new teachers.
Glad my kids are out of this mess! L.A.B. said it best!
Richard Saunders
11:27 am on Saturday, August 20, 2011
First, as has been noted, these are new hires, and several of them are experienced, not necessarily freshly minted.
Also, let's keep some perspective - there are still "X" number of unemployed, credentialed teachers in the world. Just as in private industry, employers have the responsibility to hire the best person for the job, and that includes weighing in the cost of hiring them. Taking the supposition that experience = "better" isn't necessarily a valid logical chain.
All of the teachers are supervised closely, and evaluated almost constantly by their principals. I might suggest any parent concerned about their child's first-year teacher take the time to meet, and have a positive discussion with the teacher at the start of school, then stay involved with your child's classwork.