By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Bright-eyed, eager and challenged by Superintendent Greg Killough to approach the teaching profession "with passion," 17 new teachers were welcomed to Caroline County Public Schools on Monday to fill vacancies left by departing staff. Several more must be hired, said Director of Instruction Cathy McConnell, because of the last-minute resignations "of several key instructors due to competition from other counties." That is, they were lured away by better pay. "These are people we've invested in," she added. "We hope we don't lose anymore."
The new teachers were introduced by their principals at a luncheon Monday where Chairman of the School Board Mack Wright wished them success upholding the county's high goals and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Maxie Rozell praised the quality of life in Caroline County. Four of the new teachers will teach math at Caroline Middle School – Sarah Hauser, Amanda Ashby, Kristy Hoben and Ashley Austin. With a total of nine math teachers, the Middle School's SOL scores went up 6 percent last year. The first new Middle School math teacher, Ms. Hauser, grew up in King William and has family in Caroline. Recently graduating from Longwood University, she looks forward to teaching because "I love kids and I love math."
Also recently graduating from Longwood, Ms. Ashby said she "wants to make a difference and see children's eyes light up when the light bulb goes off." She lives in Hanover and is closely related to the Upshaws of Mattaponi Trail in the vicinity of "Elm Grove" where her great grandmother lived. The third new math teacher at Caroline Middle School is a Marine Corps veteran – Ms. Hoben who has lived in Partlow the past 10 years with her husband Nick. They have three children, Tucker, Konnor and Molly. Formerly a sergeant specializing in electronic intelligence, she too seeks to make a difference. Fourth, originally from Syracuse, New York, Ms. Austin, who recently graduated from the University of Richmond and is now living in Chester, described her motivation this way: "I want kids to like math as much as I do."
Tuesday, Aug. 31 is the Back-to-School Celebration for teachers and staff, and the first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7. Look for dates and times for each school's Open House for parents and students in next week's edition.