New teachers welcomed

Updated: August 24, 2010

Article courtesy of the Press-Citizen
August 14, 2010
CORALVILLE -- Susanna Howard had a piece of advice for teachers, based on how they would react to finding their fly open in front of their class.

They either could be embarrassed and show it, or they could laugh it off and move on, she said.

"My advice is to be the kind of teacher who can pass the zipper test," said Howard, a 2010 City High graduate who will attend college in Maine this fall.

Howard provided the student's perspective to 80 new teachers from eight Johnson County school districts and and 90 others from area schools and businesses at the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce's New Teacher Luncheon on Friday at the Holiday Inn in Coralville.

The luncheon is a tradition for teachers from the Iowa City, Clear Creek Amana, Solon and Lone Tree school districts as well as the Montessori School of Iowa City, Heritage Christian School and Regina Catholic Education Center.

Nancy Quellhorst, president and CEO of the Chamber, said the luncheon was a way to show the teachers they are valued.

"We want to welcome the new teachers, and we want them to understand the role they play in economic development," she said. "It's a great value to the business of a community."

As the teachers and other guests ate, they heard from new City High Principal John Bacon, who said the teachers should be positive in front of their students and welcome them at the door to the classroom every day.

"Be kinder to people than necessary and be more than people expect, and (good things will happen)," he said.

Teachers said they were impressed with the reception they received.

They included Joe Taylor, a new fifth-grade teacher at Clear Creek Elementary in Oxford. He won the prize for having come the farthest away to his new position, having previously taught in Soldotna, Alaska.

"I like the community support," he said. "I didn't expect to get quite the welcome."

New Roosevelt Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade teacher Nicole Mooney also appreciated the welcome.

"I think it's very nice, welcoming," said Mooney, who previously taught fifth grade in Des Moines.