New Blytheville teachers get primer on community

Blytheville Public School teachers getting ready for their first year with the district visited a few local hotspots Friday as they began to acclimate themselves with the community -- many for the first time.

Each year, Blytheville Public Schools hosts a new teacher orientation to give the teachers an introduction to a new year, a new school and a new city. Last year, though, the district decided to expand upon the latter of those three and take teachers around town for a tour, and a chance to meet some of the people they might be working with on a regular basis.

On Friday, this year's new teachers made their way downtown for the second year of the local tour and meet-and-great.

More than 30 new Blytheville teachers met at the Ritz Civic Center where local merchants, city leaders and Main Street Blytheville staff got the opportunity to showcase just a bit of what the downtown area, and the community as a whole, has to offer.

The teachers heard from The Learning Stop owner Ellen Moody, Arts Council of Mississippi County Director David Lyttle, Main Street Blytheville Executive Director Megan Atzert, and Charles Moody, with the Lights of the Delta, all who informed the teachers about downtown businesses, groups such as the Young Professionals group and events ranging from plays and concerts to the Lights of the Delta's 7-million light display.

Blytheville Council members John Musgraves and Stan Parks welcomed the group, before Mayor James Sanders spoke. Sanders told the group that the community depends on them in their roles as teachers who spend a big portion of each day with the kids.

"We've got faith in you, faith in the district and faith in this city," Sanders told the new teachers.

District Curriculum Coordinator Sally Cooke said this trip around town gives the new teachers a good start to the new year, showing what's available in the community and how to get involved.

"This early acclimation is important for our teachers," Cooke said. "It allows them to start the year already feeling like a part of the community."

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com