Rome City Schools welcomed 73 teachers into the school system this week at the Exemplary New Teacher Academy. The three-day event featured seminars for the teachers, a chance to get acquainted with Rome City Schools staff, and tours of Rome.
The event kicked off at the College and Career Academy on Monday morning, as the teachers heard from Rome City Schools Board of Education Chair Faith Collins and City of Rome Mayor Craig McDaniel.
“I want to welcome all of you to Rome City Schools,” Collins said. “I believe that we are the best school district in the state, and I’m glad that you are all joining it.”
McDaniel, a graduate of West Rome High School, spoke about the culture of education in Rome.
“We have one of the best city school systems in the state of Georgia. Those of you who are new to Rome are going to love the tradition of excellence not only academically, but also athletics and the arts. Be proud to be a part of Rome City Schools, because this is special,” McDaniel said.
Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland talked to the group about the school system’s theme for this school year, “Teachers As Influencers” as well as Rome City Schools’ four pillars: student achievement, staff development, stakeholder engagement, and safety and operations.
“I would like to welcome all of you to Rome City Schools. We have the unique blessing of having a skill set to be able to make miracles happen every day. We serve 6,500 kids. We serve a community that is all about serving children,” Dr. Holland said. “This is the greatest profession in the world. With everything you do and say try to make it be the spark plug for your students to go out and change the world.”
Of the new teachers in the district, 36 of them are first-year teachers. Nine of the teachers were student teachers at Rome City Schools and five of the teachers graduated from Rome High School. One of the teachers graduated from West Rome High School. Among the group, 24 of the teachers are second-generation teachers. Eight of them are third-generation teachers and three of them are fourth-generation teachers.
The teachers also had time to meet with their mentors during the training, work in their classrooms and embark on a bus tour showing highlights of both Rome and Rome City Schools.
They also had the opportunity to hear from some of Rome City Schools' partners, including Atrium Health Floyd, Synovus Bank, United Community Bank, American Fidelity, and more.