NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City School District of New Rochelle welcomed 45 new teachers and support staff during orientation this week.
“Your cultural competence, embracing of diversity and enlightened pursuit of equity will make a significant difference for our students,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne told the new hires in the Linda E. Kelly Theatre in New Rochelle High School.
The new employees – 28 teachers plus counselors, social workers, teaching assistants, a school psychologist and a library media specialist – were also greeted by Board of Education President Jeffrey Hastie, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum Magda Parvey, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Joseph Williams, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Amy Goodman and all 10 school principals.
Later, City Historian Barbara Davis led them on a bus tour of New Rochelle, sharing points of interest on the city’s past and present.
“You’ve chosen a great district to be part of,” Columbus Elementary School Principal Michael Galland told the group. “New Rochelle, for hundreds of years, has always welcomed and been the first home to families from so many countries.”
“We’re a family,” Daniel Webster Magnet School Principal Melissa Passarelli added. “We pull together and we do what’s best for the students.”
The District’s newest educators and others were eager to begin. Grace Addow-Langlais, a new counselor, said she chose New Rochelle after having interned in the District four years ago.
“I felt supported by the community, so I decided to come back,” she said.
Joe Zimmermann, another new counselor, grew to appreciate the District as a more recent intern.
“It was such an encompassing experience that when I had a chance to interview, I knew that this was the place for me.”
“Welcome to our community and family,” Albert Leonard Middle School Principal John Barnes told them. “You’re going to do great things here. You were hired to make a difference and we know you will bring your special talents and abilities to our students. It’s time to make magic together!”