"Welcome" and "thank you" are the words of the day as the School District of Belleville joyously kicks off its in-service week in preparation for the 2022-23 school year. Joining the staff this academic year are thirteen new faces that will help continue Belleville's tradition of excellence: Mike Lovenberg (Middle and High School Principal), Sara Boutelle (8th Grade ELA), Katelyn Schade (Spanish), Amber Sies (1st Grade), Erin Treder (MS/HS Math), James Pickett (Business, Marketing Education), Katie Worple (EL Teacher and Coordinator), Bailey Eichelkraut (First Grade), Amara Tang (Speech & Language Pathologist), Amanda Schewe (4th Grade), Nicholas Kositske (9-12 Social Studies), Corinna Anderson (5th/6th Grade Science), Ryan Mosso (Elementary Night Time Custodian I), and Shannon Schwersenska (Elementary School Head Custodian.)

These new educational staff members come to the Belleville Learning Community with backgrounds of expertise in their careers, teaching experience, and, more than anything, a desire to make a difference. These are all the ingredients necessary to captivate students and make a "home" for them to learn and grow within their classrooms and within Wildcat Country!

Old and new staff joined together in the Belleville High School auditorium to hear a heartfelt message from District Administrator Nate Perry, who shared his message of hope and joy for a new school year:

"As districts around the state and even country struggle to find teachers and support staff, I am both proud and excited for the new Wildcat staff members who will join the district for the 2022-23 school year. Not only are they wonderful educators, they are a good 'fit' for the district. We are lucky to have them!"

Perry took the extra time to focus on his staff's needs as he addressed his district staff to remind them of "why" they chose the field of education and highlighted his own moments of impact throughout his career as first a student himself, then as a teacher, and finally as an administrator. He reminded them of what it feels like when you really know you've made a difference in a student's life for the better and how that feels because this is the joy educators receive from doing their craft well. That's the real benefit and that's truly why teachers get up in the morning.

Belleville is indeed fortunate in the sum of teaching expertise exhibited in this educational staff this coming year and morale was high as introductions were made. Seasoned staff welcomed their new colleagues before they all began rolling up their sleeves and collaborating on the most effective ways to work together to bring the best to their students in the classroom. The synergy of coming together as a team after the summer recess is really a dynamic experience for all involved – especially as staff members connect to work with one another to support their students' needs.

Photo courtesy of Marie Perry

Belleville's District Administrator Nate Perry addresses the staff during in-service week, as he reminds them to bring "joy" with them into their classrooms this year.

Belleville is truly working on embracing teamwork and preparing to celebrate the "joy" in learning – expecting a good year is a great way to begin this fall and Belleville is well prepared to do this with its bases covered and the excitement its staff has to welcome students back as a team. Perry hit a home run when he focused on "joy" as the influencer for staff as a goal because if we do our work together in joy, we make learning exciting and celebratory and that naturally extends to the entire learning community. It is a great motivator, and the 2022-23 school year holds the promise of being a great one for all Belleville students!