Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) is welcoming 13 new teachers and four new administrators to its ranks this year.

“I am very excited about this group of teachers,” said Division Superintendent Dr. Nancy Leonard. “They bring energy, enthusiasm and most have local ties. I am excited about bringing these new teachers into the CCPS family and proud to put these teachers in front of our students. It’s going to be a good year.”

New staff members were treated to breakfast at Central Middle School on Monday morning during orientation to assist with their transition to the division.

“I live in Halifax County,” said new teacher Wendy Hall. “This is my ninth year (of) teaching. Hall said she started out teaching special education, but only got to teach the subject one year before switching to English.

She said she is coming to Charlotte County to return to special education and will be teaching at Central Middle School. “Dr. Leonard’s mom taught me sixth grade,” said Hall.

Stefanie Nichols is joining the staff at Bacon Elementary.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” said Nichols. “I was at Halifax for two years teaching first grade, but before then I substituted here at Phenix (Elementary) for four years before getting a position at Halifax.”

Through the orientation, words of encouragement were offered to the new teachers as they embarked on their journeys.

“You don’t teach subjects — you teach students,” said Eureka Elementary Principal Bryan Hamilton. “You can’t get the math, the history, the English, the PE or whatever objective you’re trying to meet that day whether it be putting one foot in front of the other one to walk without meeting the individual needs of the students. You can’t meet the individual needs of the students if you don’t meet your own needs, so take care of yourself as well.”

Central Middle School Principal Michael Haskins encouraged new staff members to ask questions if they needed help.

“That’s one thing I can say about Charlotte County,” said Leonard. “Teachers help each other.”