A far cry from a handshake, a list of rules and a smile their predecessors might have received, today’s new teachers in the Hazelwood School District receive a week’s worth of instruction plus a free lunch.
The Hazelwood National Education Association (HNEA) provided a cool respite to toasty early August days recently with its annual new teacher luncheons. Approximately 150 new teachers took part in the meals, where they leaned on and learned from veteran teachers.
Paula Brown, HNEA President, said this is the third year the HNEA sponsored the luncheon. “We used to have a booth at events but we felt we could do more for incoming teachers. We do one luncheon for the secondary staff and one for the elementary staff so it doesn’t get too crowded.”
After morning meetings and work sessions, staff members formed lunch lines as they traded stories and caught comrades up on what everyone did over the summer break. The secondary teacher luncheon was held at the Field House at Hazelwood Central High School while the elementary teacher luncheon came to Cold Water Elementary.
“There are a lot of folks in Hazelwood who want you to have a successful year,” said Superintendent Chris Wright during welcome remarks at the secondary luncheon. “You don’t have to do it alone. HNEA is a great support for you,” she added. “We are all part of the same team.”
Teachers sat at decorated tables with NEA literature on them and each one received a folder with their name on it.
“We get a lot of compliments on the food, everybody has a nice time,” Brown said. “The board of education enjoys the luncheons, the administrators enjoy being away from the instructional aspects of education for a bit and just breaking bread with the teachers.”
At the both luncheons, Brown welcomed the educators and then turned the lectern over to Hazelwood School Board President Joe Donahue, who gave his remarks. Brown then introduced two people affiliated with the Missouri NEA, who came to answer questions and offer materials to the educators, such as tuition assistance forms, professional development courses, and registering with the MNEA.
