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New teachers get first view of schools By Stephanie Creech | Daily Times Senior Writer As a loss prevention manager at Lowe's Home Improvement in Wilson, Justin Bruyer would spend several days teaching new employees customer service skills and inventory control. So when Bruyer decided to take his teaching skills and put them to use working with children, school was a natural career move for the New York native. Bruyer, 25, is among the 59 new teachers joining Wilson County Schools this academic year. The new teachers spent part of this week in orientation gaining tips that will make their year run smoother and learning more about Wilson County Schools and its programs. Bruyer will teach seventh-grade math at Darden Middle School. Bruyer started teaching in February. But this will be his first full year working for the district as a lateral entry teacher. Bruyer has a degree in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He also went through the NC Teach program at North Carolina State University. "My teachers made a huge impact in my life," Bruyer said, recalling his own school experiences. "It's something I always wanted to do to be able to play an important role in a student's life." When Bruyer first made the switch to teaching, he had to remember he was no longer working with adults but middle school students. It took several months for Bruyer to gain an understanding of what his students were thinking and what they were capable of doing. When Bruyer interviewed at Darden Middle, he was struck by how welcoming the staff was and by how different goals and expectations for the students were posted on the walls so everyone knows what is expected and the direction in which the school is headed. Bruyer said he wants to see a lot of student and teacher involvement this year at Darden. Bruyer isn't the only new teacher who was impressed with the reception received while interviewing. Fellow new teachers Rick Mencer, Jacquelyn Gomes and Amanda Duncan all said they felt at ease and at home by the time they completed the interviews at their new schools. Four of the 59 new teachers are Owens Scholars. Malcolm Eatmon, a Beddingfield graduate, will teach eighth-grade language arts at Toisnot Middle. Lauren Easom, a Hunt High graduate, will teach fourth grade at Rock Ridge Elementary. Emily Chilton, a Beddingfield graduate, will teach third grade at Gardners Elementary, while Amy Bass, also a Beddingfield graduate, will teach kindergarten at Elm City Elementary. Owens Scholars are all graduates of Wilson County Schools. They received four-year renewable scholarships in exchange for agreeing to teach a minimum of four years in Wilson County Schools. Duncan said she always knew she wanted to teach from the time she was young and played teacher all the time. Duncan is looking forward to building relationships with her students and colleagues. Duncan will teach social studies in Beddingfield's new Math, Science and Health Sciences Academy. Duncan said she thinks the academies are an interesting model. Gomes, 25, said she also could see herself teaching at Beddingfield after interviewing with Reaves. Gomes will teach biology and earth/environmental science to freshmen and sophomores in Beddingfield's Engineering, Industrial and Emerging Technology Academy. A native of Havelock, Gomes is entering her second year of teaching. She's excited about the professional learning communities structure Wilson County Schools is implementing. Gomes said she likes that the teachers will work together on developing common assessments for students and also plan together. "Every year is a new and exciting experience and being new to the area is going to bring more excitement," Gomes said. Mencer, 33, is looking forward to becoming a "dynamic motivator" and a "highly effective classroom manager." Mencer considered teaching a logical choice when he decided to make a career change due to economic reasons. Mencer, a graduate of East Carolina University, was self-employed in the home repair business. He also worked in residential painting and has volunteered with various ministry activities. Like Bruyer, Mencer often found himself teaching others while working at various jobs. Mencer will teach sixth-grade science at Speight Middle School. He wants to work, reflect and grow into the most effective teacher he can possibly be and try to be an asset to the community. Mencer said one of the most important things he gained from this week's orientation was a better understanding of the district's student behavior system, CHAMPS. Mencer said when he interviewed at Speight, Principal Sarah Ellington had the entire sixth-grade team there to talk with him. Mencer said he decided he could work with the team and be a part of it. creech@wilsontimes.com | 265-7822
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