News Release
Homer CCSD 33C
Goodings Grove Luther J. Schilling William E. Young William J.Butler
Hadley Middle Homer Jr. High
Contact: Charla Brautigam, Communications/Public Relations Manager
cbrautigam@homerschools.org | 708-226-7628
Among those joining the Homer 33C teaching staff this year are two Homer Junior High School graduates — Taylor Ketelaar (Class of 2007) and Allison McCann (Class of 2008). Both will teach at Young School starting this fall.
For Immediate Release:
Aug. 8, 2015
New hires gather for orientation program
On Monday (Aug. 8), Homer School District 33C welcomed 13 new teachers to the district, including two who graduated from Homer Junior High.
“It feels like I went full circle,” said Taylor Ketelaar who graduated from Homer Junior High in 2007 and is returning nine years later to teach fourth grade at Young School.
Joining her is schoolmate Allison McCann (Homer Class of 2008) who will teach third grade at Young School.
Together, they attended a New Staff Orientation program on Aug. 8 with 11 other educators who are new to Homer 33C: Jordana Fink, Kate Sisto, Kristen Rekruciak, Cathy Cruz, Sarah Brusokas, Theresa Fisch, Janet Peters, Jennifer Kohler, Chris Janssen, Erin Sagon and Kelly Kardas.
“We are excited to welcome our new teachers to the Homer family,” said Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. “Exemplary teachers are critical to student success in schools.”
Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, reviews policies, procedures and expectations with teachers during a New Staff Orientation program on Aug. 8.
During the day-long orientation program, teachers were given an overview of the district, including its history, policies, procedures and expectations.
They also reviewed First Year Teacher Tips with a team of Homer 33C teachers and reflected on what makes a great teacher.
“Make sure you show interest and enthusiasm,” advised Robinson. “The tone you set that first day is going to carry you through to the end of the school year.”
Many of the new hires replace educators who retired at the end of the 2015-16 school year. Some are first-year teachers straight out of college; others are seasoned educators who taught in other districts.
No matter how many years they’ve been teaching, each new employee will be paired with a veteran teacher who will serve as their mentor.
“Research shows that teachers who have strong mentors have longer, more fulfilled careers and an easier time their first few years,” said Robinson.
The mentors and mentees will meet at least once a week and discuss what’s going on in their classrooms. They’ll also meet monthly for building meetings and come together as a large group three times a year for district meetings.
The first day of school is Aug. 22.
