Saint Leo Helps Prepare Teachers for 1st Bells

ST. LEO, FL — Brand new teachers from school districts across the state got a crash course on what to expect on Friday courtesy of Saint Leo University. The Pasco County university played host to its fifth annual Beginning Teacher Boot Camp to help new teachers “learn the drill.”

The camp is a public service provided by Saint Leo’s School of Education and Social Services. It welcomes new teachers whether they attended Saint Leo or not.

Former Pasco County educator Beverly Ledbetter, who now works at Saint Leo, designed and organized the camp. She serves as an adjunct instructor at Saint Leo and is the director of its teacher boot camps.

“You are all prepared,” Dr. William J. Lennox Jr. told teachers in attendance at the camp. “You know more than your class. What you do is so important. We see that when your students graduate and come to us.”

While teachers at the camp came from all over, five of the university’s own alumna were also in attendance to get in some last-minute learning before they kick off their careers. They were: Sandra Boland, who graduated from the Ocala Education Center, will teach at East Marion Elementary in Silver Springs, FL; Katelyn Kans will teach at James M. Marlowe Elementary in Pasco County; Amanda Ricard will teach at Rodney B. Cox Elementary in Pasco; Desiree Jaramillo will teach at Gulf Middle in Pasco; and Amanda Bromen will teach at Woodland Elementary in Pasco.

Ledbetter kicked off the session by offering practical advice for new teachers. That advice included tips on how to dress comfortably, but professionally. She also offered insights on extras to have in the classroom, such as Band-Aids, safety pins and tissues.

“First-year teachers are notorious about not eating,” Ledbetter warned. To combat concerns, she recommended handy snacks, such as nuts and chocolate.

Teachers were also offered practical on-the-job tips. Ledbetter provided a list of questions new teachers should ask their mentors, discussed classroom rules and discipline plans. She also recommended new teachers write letters introducing themselves to parents.

As for Saint Leo, Ledbetter promised its help would always be available.

“This of us as a giant lending library for resources,” she said.

Pasco County school children head back to class on Aug. 15. To find out more about Saint Leo, visit the school online at www.saintleo.edu.

New teachers talk before Saint Leo University’s Beginning Teacher Boot Camp kicked off on Friday. Photo courtesy of Saint Leo University by Renee Gerstein