A new school year means a new school environment for some. 

During summer, the Greenwood administration hired five new high school teachers, three of which are in the science department. 

“There were a lot of appeals to Greenwood that were like the fact that Greenwood was my home once upon a time before I moved to Brownsburg. We went to church here every Sunday, and I worked at the Community South hospital as an emergency scribe, so Greenwood city itself has always been a part of my identity,” Ms. Claire Richardson, science teacher, said. 

When we as a school have new students or administration, it is important to make them feel welcomed. 

“Me and my husband moved to Indiana from Washington State, and I was really just applying for jobs, and this one came up, so I applied and went through that whole process. The school itself is very welcoming with the administration and staff. People keep popping in my room to check on me and to make sure I am doing good so that has made me feel not just welcomed but valued as a teacher here,” Mrs. Lindsey Henry, English teacher, said. 

For a few, Greenwood is the first school they have worked at as an official teacher. 

“I graduated from Purdue recently where I studied chemistry and science education. I chose to teach at Greenwood because it was close to home, and I really like seeing and spending time with my family. I really like Greenwood as a town, and a plus is the mall. I really like the stores that the mall has and the restaurants that are here in Greenwood,” Mr. Aaron Roth, science teacher, said. 

Greenwood offers a unique environment.

“I last taught at Perry Meridian, and I chose Greenwood because of the community and atmosphere you guys have here. It is a lot more welcoming and productive, and I think it is a better spot overall,” Mr. Mason Deal, science teacher, said. 

Teaching takes dedication with time and personal connection. 

“I started teaching because I felt like it would be the most rewarding schedule. I majored in biology and science has always been interesting as well as the funniest subject to learn about,” Mr. Deal said. 

There are many different reasons for entering this career. 

“Both of my sisters are teachers, and I was envious of their jobs along with always being good around the high school aged kids and connecting with them so I thought I would give it a try,” Mr. Austin Munn, business teacher, said. 

It is always important to pursue a career that will fulfill life goals. 

“I have a passion for learning, and I always say that as humans, we should be lifelong learners and people should want to learn something new every day. Even though I am the teacher, I am still learning every day. I learn from interacting with new people, different circumstances and situations, maybe even with the different times of year. I just really like learning, I have a passion for it, and I wish to instill that passion with my students,” Ms. Richardson said. 

With it being the beginning of a new school year, it is important to have goals for the year. 

“I am really looking forward to going out and participating, whether it be a game, theatre production, or going to see the marching band because I like being as involved as possible in things as well as meeting building connections with the students and staff,” Mr. Roth said. 

A new school is not just challenging for students but for teachers as well. 

“The age will definitely be the biggest challenge and take a second to get used to because I used to teach younger kids and now, I am working with some students who are just a couple years younger than me. The slang is also new, and I keep hearing things like ‘6 7,’ and I’m not too sure what it means. but I have gathered that it means nothing. They are really fun,” Ms. Richardson said.