SALEM — A large number of resignations, retirements and new special education classes have resulted in a wave of new hires in the Salem schools: 63 new teachers, aides and counselors so far.
School starts next Wednesday, and jobs are still being filled.
There were 17 retirements in June, and there have been at least 30 resignations, said Joyce Harrington, president of the Salem Teachers Union.
"It's a variety of things," Harrington said, but she added the number of resignations "is usually not that high."
The Salem schools faced deficits and cut dozens of positions last year, so the swath of new hires may seem surprising. However, Harrington said, the number alone is misleading because 57 employees with nonprofessional status (less than three years in the Salem schools) were cut from the budget in June.
Of the 63 new hires so far, close to half are special-education teachers, counselors, specialists and aides. The Salem schools are working to beef up special education programming and decrease the number of students in out-of-district placements. To do so, the administration has added new programs and classes and restructured special education programs in the school buildings.
"The majority of the new people are in self-contained special-education programs," Harrington said. "It's all in an effort to bring Salem students back to Salem, and that's a good thing."
Superintendent William Cameron added that the schools are seeing "a lot of turnover."
"We still have a fair number of paraprofessional vacancies," Cameron said. "We had teacher resignations as recently as one day ago."
Welcome to Salem
Cameron and Harrington were both at the new-teacher orientation yesterday in the Collins Middle School cafeteria. New Salem educators got brief welcomes and pep talks from members of the School Committee, City Council, administration and the teachers union.
"It's a wonderful school system and we want to help you," City Councilor Joe O'Keefe said. "So take care of our kiddos and God bless you all for being here."
School Committee member Jim Fleming made reference to the fiscal crisis that rocked the Salem schools last year and forced midwinter layoffs and budget cuts, and additional cuts in June when the School Committee approved this year's budget.
"Believe me," Fleming said, "that mess is straightened out now."
New teachers started their day with a breakfast at Collins Middle School at 8 a.m., followed by a trolley tour of the city and the nine school buildings. New teachers also met with veteran teachers who will serve as their mentors.
It was also a big day for interim food service director Deborah Jeffers, whose staff served its first meal since taking over the troubled program this summer. Her staff provided lunch for the new teachers.
Q&A with new teachers
During lunch at the new-teacher orientation, The Salem News interviewed a random sampling of new teachers, and here's what they had to say.
PEGGY CORNACCHIO, Salem
School: Witchcraft Heights Elementary
Position: special education teacher
Previous job?
I worked at Bates (Elementary in Salem) as a paraprofessional, and I went back and got my master's from Salem State College, which I just finished in May.
Why teach?
I come from a really big family and I've always worked with kids.
What are you excited for?
After being the in classroom for four years, I'm looking forward to having my own classroom and using my own ideas. ... I'm excited to take on the challenges and make a difference.
LEAH KIMMEL, Swampscott
School: Saltonstall
Position: life skills for grades three to five
Previous job?
This will be my second year teaching. I taught in Somerville last year.
Why Salem?
It's less of a commute, it's a wonderful community, and the job is something I wanted because I was looking for a substantially separate classroom for people in need.
Background?
I started off as a legal studies major and thought I might be an advocate for children.
Why teach then?
I want to help children. I come from a long line of educators so it felt like I had a niche and it was in the blood.
BRENDA HERZLINGER, Boston
School: Bowditch
Position: reading teacher
Previous job?
I taught in Woburn. This is my eighth year teaching.
Favorite thing about teaching?
When you see children really start to read and understand, and you see their sense of accomplishment.
What are you excited for?
The challenge of working in a new school and helping the children of Salem.
REBECCA MCNULTY, Marblehead
School: Bates Elementary
Position: special education teacher for second/third grade diversion and mainstream students
Why special education?
Special education teachers have the most patience, and understand what it means to truly persevere against any obstacle.
Why Salem?
This is my first year teaching. I just graduated a few months ago, and my friend and I decided to move up here. I'm from New York originally.
MARY SUELTENFUSS, Wakefield
School: Horace Mann Laboratory School
Position: special education teacher for grades four and five
Why Salem?
I was looking to work in a city/urban environment in a special ed classroom.
Favorite aspect of teaching?
Finding the potential in each individual
What are you excited for?
I'm pretty excited about everything. Today, we actually got a tour of the city, and it will be fun to introduce the history of Salem into the classroom.
MATT CONDON, Salem
School: Collins Middle School
Position: special education teacher, diversion and mainstream
Previous job?
I taught in Lynn, but I was affected by the layoffs.
Why work in Salem?
It's my hometown. I grew up here, graduated from Salem High, and got my graduate degree at Salem State.
What are you excited for?
It's a little bit different of a classroom for me, so I'm looking forward to a challenge.
KATIE KEELEY, Wenham
School: Collins Middle School
Position: eighth-grade "inclusion" co-teaching with English and math teachers
Years teaching?
This is my ninth year teaching. I taught in Lawrence and, more recently, in Gloucester.
Why work in Salem?
Just looking for a new experience.
Favorite aspect of your job?
Working with students and teachers and seeing all the different perspectives everybody brings to the classroom.
CARRIE CABOT, Salem
School: Salem High School
Position: math teacher (geometry and Algebra II)
Why work in Salem?
Because I wanted to be part of my community. That was the driving force. I was already in that field, and taught in Lawrence.
Why did you become a teacher?
I come from a very poor region of eastern Kentucky where education is not really important to most people, but my parents were very focused on education as a way to "get out." I've always been focused around education.
DOUG CABOT, Salem
(Carrie Cabot's husband)
School: Salem High School
Position: TV/video/media production
Previous career?
I worked in TV production.
Why switch to teaching?
A lot of different reasons. One was that this job presented itself, and it seemed like a great opportunity.
What are you excited for?
I like working with kids and it's a good way to give something back, moving beyond my own career.
