Businesses lined the walls with give-a-ways, free breakfast was served and teachers were appreciated as Dublin ISD kicked off the new school year with a Teacher Convocation.
The energy of the room was exuberant as teachers, administration, staff and business leaders got together for the annual Welcome Back Teachers event Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Dublin High School.
The event began with Superintendent Melissa Summers asking a variety of staff members to stand in appreciation of the work they do including maintenance, custodial staff, transportation and the district’s painting crew.
“A lot of this was thrown together at the last minute so I appreciate each and every one of you who are here,” Summers said, referring to businesses in attendance. “I appreciate you all for showing up to support our staff.” Summer gave a big thank you to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Blanca Martineau who helped contact the businesses. Sarah Brennand also helped organize the business give-a-ways.
Businesses in attendance or those providing give-a-way items for teachers included the Church for the Lost and Found, Christian Women’s Job Corp., Ursi’s German Kitchen, Sorrells Realty Team, First National Bank of Dublin, Cross Timbers Family Services, Texas Bank, Light Up Your Path Coaching, IAA Central Texas, Texas Farm Bureau, The Dublin Citizen, Comanche County Medical Center, Patrick Street Pharmacy, Granny Clark’s, Dairy Queen, SJB Coaching Clinic, Big’s Convenience Store, Lucky Vines, Chick-fil-A and Wild H AC LLC.
Steve and Donna Hightower from Titan Fitness shared uplifting comments with DISD staff and gave them information about the partnership between the gym and the school district.
“You know it’s so interesting to me when we come to the teacher breakfast, it doesn’t matter whether it is in August the 1st or in the old days when school started after Labor Day, when you enter this building on the first day of getting ready for school, it’s amazing the excitement,” Donna said. “You people are so happy! Good job! I know you are excited about starting the school year and I know it will be a fantastic year.”
Through the partnership, 10 educators will be able to sign up for a free gym membership that the school district pays for in order to encourage teachers to take time for themselves.
Dublin Athletic Booster Club President Ryan Mitchell also welcomed teachers back and encouraged them to join the booster club. After the event, Mitchell opened the booster club merchandise store so teachers could get Lions “swag”.
“Even if you can’t physically be a part of the Athletic Booster Club, your financial membership goes toward providing scholarships for our kids,” Summers said.
School board president Bob Cervetto encouraged the teachers by getting them to stretch into a “standing ovation” complete with a wave of laughter.
“Our district is in a great place. I’ve talked to a lot of people in a lot of schools and they are starting the year with negative budgets. We’re balanced straight to a T,” he said. “In the same token we are not going to do without. We want you guys to have the best, best, best school year. The energy level is great but the challenge will be six weeks from now. Remember, we are the last hope for kids and we are the ones who give kids hope.”
Cervetto encouraged educators to get involved with kids including attending extracurricular events their students are involved in.
“Even if you are there for 10 minutes and that kid sees you there, it will make all the difference,” he said.
Comanche County Medical Center CEO Dr. Larry Troxell served as the keynote speaker for the event.
“We’ve got God in us, every one of us, and you, as individuals have more power than you know you have,” he said. “You can make a difference to people. What you do as an educator, what you do in support of education, you’ll never know how far that is going to go. God will know.”
Dr. Troxell said he really appreciated all of his teachers throughout the years and didn’t know where he would be without them.
He shared several other stories in his address encouraging educators for the upcoming year.
After receiving a wide range of door prizes, teachers broke for lunch before continuing training at each of their respective campuses.
For more photos from the event, see the Dublin Citizen Facebook page.