BPS101 Welcomes 36 New Teachers During Induction Program

Batavia Public School District 101 welcomed 36 teachers into the district this week; 21 of them have previous teaching experience and 12 of them have master’s degrees.

Steve Pearce, assistant superintendent of Human Services, said he is extremely impressed with the high-caliber teaching staff joining the district this year.

“It's very clear to me that Batavia Public Schools has become a destination district for the very best teachers. Research indicates that quality instruction has a significant impact on student learning, and I'm confident that our new teachers will be providing this for all of our students," Pearce said.

The educators participated in the three-day New Teacher Summer Academy, an induction and mentoring program that BPS101 has offered new teachers for more than 20 years. 

“You have been chosen for a reason and we are excited to have you join the district,” said Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Hichens during the opening session on Aug. 6. “You will find that Batavia is a great place to work.  It truly is a community that supports its teachers.”

New teachers in the district spent two days at Rotolo Middle School where they attended workshops on topics ranging from the district’s teacher appraisal system to growing and developing professionally.

“We are a district that values collaboration and our professional learning communities. We give you the freedom to develop professionally and to be innovative in the classroom,” Dr. Hichens said.

During their induction, the new hires also had the opportunity to spend one day at their assigned building, where they met with their principals and mentors; had the opportunity to set up their classrooms; and worked alongside colleagues to prepare for the first days of school.

Sandra Lundgren, who co-chairs the New Teacher Summer Academy committee along with Jeannine Pierce, recalls when she first joined the district and participated in the induction program.

“I remember going through this process and getting lots of information about the district and the profession. But I especially remember the friends I made.  This is a great opportunity to get to know your peers and to make future friends,” Lundgren said.

Julie Allen, a veteran teacher who most recently taught in St. Charles, said she enjoyed the induction program and is enthusiastic about her new position as a Gifted Coach at J.B. Nelson and Grace McWayne.

“I’m a lifelong Batavia resident and an alumnus, so it’s pretty cool to be able to teach in a district that has been such a big part of my life,” Allen said.  “After 16 years of teaching in other communities, I’ve come full circle.”

The district’s new teachers include:

• Julie Allen, Grace McWayne and J.B. Nelson
• Kelly Baumgartner, Grace McWayne
• Alexander Beckmann, Batavia High School
• Melissa Beier, H.C. Storm
• Lisa Brouch, Batavia High School
• Angela Carlson, Rotolo Middle School
• Katherine Cessna, Rotolo Middle School
• William Colamatteo, Batavia High School
• Kelly Coleman, Rotolo Middle School
• Kelly D’Angelo, Batavia High School
• Alice Dennie, Grace McWayne
• Ryan Farwell, Batavia High School
• Susan Fricke, Batavia High School
• Melissa Gaba, Batavia High School
• Cassandra Giese, J.B. Nelson
• Eric Guth, Grace McWayne
• Jamie Janotta, Batavia High School
• Sara Kalelkar, Rotolo Middle School
• Christina Kovarik, Louise White
• Kathryn Lilig, Louise White
• Eileen Matos, H.C. Storm
• Katherine McCann, Hoover-Wood School
• Sarah McEwen, Batavia High School
• Andrea Morrone, Batavia High School
• James Nazos, Batavia High School
• Kyle Plate, Batavia High School
• Virginia Platt, Batavia High School
• Zachary Ploppert, Batavia High School
• Julie Preble, H.C. Storm and Hoover-Wood
• Andrew Ray, Batavia High School
• Kayla Recchia, H.C. Storm
• Sherry Reiss, Rotolo Middle School
• Bernice Schopf, Batavia High School
• Justine Stukas, H.C. Storm
• Diane Wolf, Rotolo Middle School
• Kelly Zabran, Batavia High School