For the first time, the Norwalk teacher convocation was addressed not by an administrator, but by a teacher and a principal. On Monday morning, Lavone Roberson, a third-grade teacher at Naramake Elementary School, spoke to a packed audience of school teachers, staff, city officials and representatives from all the school unions at the Brien McMahon High School auditorium. Roberson, a fourth-year teacher, told them that she is a proud product of the Norwalk Public Schools and the daughter of NPS social worker Jackie Roberson. "It is here that I became a lifelong learner and a passionate educator." Roberson, a Naramake teacher, also spoke about collaboration. "Teaching is a team sport. You will win if you play together."
James Martinez, prinicipal of Fox Run, asked his colleagues to "be present for the kids." "Listen to what they say and what they don't say. Be a guiding light."
Superintendent Susan Marks said that she had a lot in common with first-year teachers, since shes a first-year superintendent. Since the summer, 56 new teachers have been hired and several more are coming on board in the coming weeks, according to Fay Ruotolo, director of human resources for the district. Marks reminded the staff that, according to experts, teacher effectiveness and leadership quality is the most important factor in student achievement. "It's about the people." Marks also said that she plans to visit the schools often. "You can't be a superintendent from behind a desk."
After the convocation, a group of Kendall teachers milled outside the building discussing the morning's event. Adrienne Moriarty, a fourth-grade teacher for the past 27 years, said she is excited about having a new superintendent, but is taking a "wait and see" attitude about Marks. Moriarty said that she found the morning event, especially Roberson's speech, "inspiring." "You remember why you are here and why you became a teacher."
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