Chamber of Commerce welcomes new teachers with breakfast
By Sierra Henry
Published in News on July 27, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Sharmika Russell and Yerdia Palmer-Crearer go through the buffet line during the annual new teacher welcome breakfast hosted by The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's Wayne Education Network hosts Thursday morning at Lane Tree Golf Club. Following the breakfast the teachers were driven around Wayne County for a tour.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Chair of Wayne Education Network Beverly Carroll takes the time to talk about The Golden Rule program during the annual new teacher welcome breakfast Thursday morning at Lane Tree Golf Club. The program is a way for members of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce to offer discounts to teachers as a thank you.
New Wayne County educators were welcomed in style Thursday morning, with a breakfast at Lane Tree Golf Club and a tour of historical sites in the area.
The breakfast and tour were sponsored by Wayne County Education Network in partnership with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, in order to show the county's appreciation and support of the schools and their teachers.
"We wanted to present to these young people how happy we are for them to be here," said Beverly Carroll, chair of Wayne Education Network. "We have no control over their salaries, but we can show them hospitality and show them that we're happy they're here."
The education network was created as a way for Wayne County businesses and the chamber to offer support to the schools. The breakfast is only one of the several other initiatives that are funded by the network.
According to Laura Landers, director of marketing and events, the network also provides $123,000 in grants to teachers with innovative programs they want to implement in the classroom as well as $29,000 in stipends.
Any business that is a member of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce will also have the opportunity to participate in the Golden Rule program, which offers discounts to teachers, new teachers or to all Wayne County employees if they choose.
"The schools are producing our workforce in the businesses, so it's a way to offer the school support," Carroll said. "They are the ones that are teaching our children that'll be coming into the workforce in Wayne County. They're our children and our children are our future.
"It's nice to know that the business community appreciates those who in education and what they're doing for our children."
The education network also sponsors other programs, such as the career fair, which is held to showcase different careers in Wayne County to students, and the STEM fair, which is similar to a science fair.
"I'd like to add how valuable we think the teachers are in Wayne County, the new ones and the ones that have been here for a long time. What they do for our children, it's just invaluable. It's hard to put a value on what they do," Carroll said.
Shamika Russell is one of the new teachers at Goldsboro High School who was welcomed by the education network. This is her first year working with Wayne County Public Schools and previously worked at North County Public Services.
"I wanted to be a teacher for two reasons: to come back to the community because I have a story to tell about the struggles I've had, and show them with persistence and dedication they can do things above their possibilities," Russell said.
Russell also expressed that she is looking forward to working with her new students.
"I'm looking forward to the success of the outcome for the students," Russell said. "And to help them grow into the community, to help provide resources to able them to become successful adults and work in the world.
"Right now, I'm just hoping to gain a lot of knowledge to give to the students so they can achieve a successful life."