Hastings High School has many new teachers this year who all teach various subjects, and they thought that their first semester here at HHS was very interesting in a lot of different ways.
New teachers agree that the first semester was fun for them and it definitely taught them a lot about what to expect. The students and other teachers who had already been here were very welcoming and invited the new teachers into the school. It has helped them to grow as teachers and fit in with our students a little bit more.
“It’s been very good. A big learning experience,” Mr. Schultz, a new social studies teacher said, “The biggest thing is the welcoming staff and everyone has been really helpful, the kids have been really good, they’ve had patience with my learning my way around the place so that’s made it good.”
These new teachers can agree that lots of things have made their first semester great, but most think that the best thing has been the kids at HHS.
“My favorite part was getting to know the students.” Mrs. Hergott, a new English teacher said, “Just seeing what their personalities were, what their backgrounds were, what they were interested in, and things like that, just getting to know them as people instead of students.”
The most beneficial thing of having a semester under their belts for the new teachers is that they have more experience. They know what to expect and how things run, which can help classes go much more smoothly. That experience also makes the teachers more comfortable at Hastings High. “I think this semester will be better because I will know more of what to anticipate from my students and how the school year plays out.” Mrs. Bartling, a new English teacher said.
Hergott agreed with that statement, she also feels more comfortable.
“This semester will be easier, I know what I’m expecting, I know what to expect from my students, I know the students now which is really good. I feel that I’ve developed a relationship with the majority of them and that things will just go a lot smoother. I feel a lot more comfortable,” Hergott said.
Even though these teachers are new here, a lot of them have already begun to participate in other activities and some hope to do so in the future. Whether they participate in sports or clubs, either way they are becoming closer to the students of Hastings High.
Schultz is an example of a new teacher participating in activities. “I coach reserve boys’ basketball, and I help with the JV’s and Varsity as an assistant. I coached girls’ basketball as a head coach for 13 years total at Shelton, and I’ve been a head football coach, and I’d been an assistant track coach.” Mr. Schultz said.
Whether new teachers are very involved already, or just teaching and learning the ropes, they all agree that they had an excellent first semester at HHS. In addition to that, they are optimistic that their next semester will be even better. Many different things drew our new teachers here, but however they ended up here, they are having a good time.
“I think the reputation that Hastings had as a quality school and the way they support their educators drew me here… Go Tigers!” Mrs. Bartling said.
