North Bellmore grows its family of educators

New teachers in the North Bellmore School District received a warm welcome on Aug. 24, when they attended orientation at Martin Avenue Elementary School. The program began with icebreaker activities so the new staff members could get to know each other.

Throughout the day, teachers learned about the district’s curriculum in literacy, math, social studies and science, as well as the accompanying resources, in workshops presented by North Bellmore administrators and teachers. They also went home with copies of the book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck, which captures the district’s philosophy that students and teachers alike should have a growth mindset.

“New teacher orientation is an opportunity to welcome our new staff to the district, educate them about our mission and core values, and show them all we have to offer for academic, social and emotional learning,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt. “From the start, we want to make them feel like a part of the North Bellmore family.”

The district welcomes 12 new teachers this year, spread out across the five elementary schools, seven grade levels and special subject areas. That includes three student-teachers who will spend the year at Saw Mill Road Elementary School through the Adelphi University Model Teaching Program.

Julia Kriegel, a special education teacher at Park Avenue Elementary School, is new to the district. She said she is excited to work in a district with a growth mindset philosophy because teachers “never stop being students.”

“I’m excited to meet the students and have my own class,” added Melissa Reime, a new kindergarten teacher at Park Avenue, who student taught in the district last year. “North Bellmore is incredible. Everyone that I talk to is so willing to help.”