First day for students and educators Posted On: Tuesday, Aug. 25 2009 05:19 AM By Jade Ortego
Killeen Daily Herald

Three Killeen Independent School District educators had their first day on the job just as their students had their first day in class.

Cassandra Spearman at Ira Cross Junior Elementary started her first year as principal with an unforeseen surplus of students that will require the use of portable classrooms and new teachers.

Children were still showing up to be registered late in the morning on the first day, with at least 730 registered when the new administration had prepared for 650.

"All the classrooms are being utilized … we're pretty maxed," Spearman said. It was looking like they would need to fill more positions, she said.

"It's exciting because you get all these kids but a challenge because you have to make sure you have space for everybody," she said.

Spearman, one of 16 new principals in the Killeen Independent School District this year, said that other than the unforeseen extra students, the first day ran smoothly. "The staff was really warm and welcoming and friendly. So far it's been good. Everybody's willing to help out," she said.

The most difficult aspect of beginning her new administrative position is learning the culture and climate of the school, Spearman said.

"I wasn't here last year so I wasn't familiar with procedures … how professional learning took place," she said. "The most difficult thing was finding out how everything was run, and if it was working, continue it. And if it wasn't, then you (nix it)," she said.

This was also the first day at Ellison High School for principal David Dominguez, and he said the day went smoothly.

"The kids were very eager to get to class and get their day started, get their school year started. …It was a good first day," he said.

Dominguez, who was a principal for the past six years, spent the last two at Rancier Middle School.

"Obviously this is a lot larger campus so that took some getting used to. The staff here at Ellison is very warm and accepting and has really reached out to me and made me a part of the Eagle family and I appreciate that very much," he said.

There were no problems except some students getting lost, but that happens every year, he said.

"I've been preparing for today all throughout the summer, with interviewing and hiring and finishing up the master schedule. It's just very fulfilling to see it played out on a real school day," he said.

At Nolanville Elementary School, new graduate Katie Davis lined up her cheery students for their first day as second-graders and her first day as a teacher.

Davis, who got her Bachelor's degree from Baylor University in May, said she is the youngest teacher at Nolanville. She is in the Strickland Scholars program at Baylor, a fast-track elementary education program that will allow her to earn her teachers certification and a master's degree in curriculum instruction by August 2010.

Her 16 students were well behaved, she said.

"It was really good.…Teachers talk about (students) being crazy, (but) they were great, like, wonderful. I think I'm going to be really blessed," Davis said.

Second-grade was her first choice, she said, and she's glad she started at a "nice" school so the learning process goes smoothly.

"I still don't know how I got the job … it's such an incredible school to be a first year teacher at. I feel like I'm getting an education here that is the best of the best," she said.

Contact Jade Ortego at jortego@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7553.