New Teachers, New Energy: How Hamilton County Is Getting First Day Ready
July 17, 2025 – The first day of school is a big deal, not just for students, but for teachers too, especially those starting at a brand-new school. That’s why Hamilton County Schools is committed to making sure our new teachers feel welcome, supported, and ready from day one.
Before stepping into their classrooms, new teachers attend New Hire Orientation, a full-day event that covers everything from payroll and retirement to classroom strategies and wellness. They have the chance to meet one another, enjoy some food, and hear about the district’s mission and vision. The day includes sessions on Human Resources policies, licensure, and benefits, along with presentations from members of the induction team to ensure new hires understand the resources available to them. New teachers also complete all necessary paperwork and get their badge photos taken.
This week, we had the chance to talk with some amazing new hires at New Teacher Orientation. They shared what they’re most excited about, what makes them nervous, and how they’re getting “first day ready.”
“We want them to feel connected, knowledgeable, and authentically cared for.”
“I’m excited to meet my team and my students.”
That’s what Madison Buerster said with a smile. She’s moving to Chattanooga from Texas, having previously taught there and in Georgia and will be teaching third grade math at Clifton Hills Elementary. Even though she’s already taught for five years, she’s ready for new experiences in Tennessee.
“I’m very interested in seeing how Hamilton County does things,” she said. Like many teachers, she’s a little nervous about getting used to a new school.
“Figuring out where everything is, P.E., the cafeteria, and just the basics things like how to survive the first day,” she laughed.
To prepare, she’s planning on drawing a personal map of the school to help herself (and maybe others) navigate the school.
“I’m rolling with it.”
Karen Small, a special education teacher at Ooltewah Middle School, just moved to Chattanooga from Florida days before orientation. She’s still unpacking, still learning the name of her new school, and still finding her way with Google Maps.
“We’ve been hit by hurricanes three times in the last four years. I said, that’s it—we’re moving,” she explained.
Small has taught in many places like Indiana, Michigan, and even Costa Rica. She’s excited to bring all that experience here. Still, she admits that starting somewhere new comes with a learning curve.
“I’m most nervous about learning all the new software. Every state uses something different,” she said. But instead of stressing, Small is staying calm and focusing on one thing at a time.
“I do better if I don’t pre-plan too much. I’ll show up, ask questions, and take it from there.”
“I just want to have fun with them.”
Macy Luithle is a first-year teacher starting her journey at Middle Valley Elementary as the new music teacher.
“I’m most excited about meeting the students and seeing where they’re at musically,” she said. She hasn’t seen her classroom yet, but that hasn’t stopped her from planning in her head.
“I’m already thinking about how I want the classroom to feel and what kinds of lessons I want to do,” she said.
As for nerves? She admits to having a few.
“I guess I’m most nervous about just finding my footing and figuring things out as a first-year teacher.”
How Hamilton County Schools Supports New Teachers
These amazing educators are thankfully not starting alone. Erin Kirby, the Coordinator of Induction for Hamilton County Schools, shared how the district wraps support around its new hires all year long.
Here’s a breakdown of the programs that help teachers in various stages of their journey through Hamilton County Schools:
New Teacher Academy (NTA)
This multi-day event kicks off the school year for all first-year and new-to-district teachers. It includes sessions on classroom management, district systems, and connecting with students. Teachers also meet other new hires, making it easier to form friendships and support systems.
“We want them to feel connected, knowledgeable, and authentically cared for,” Kirby said.
The final three days of NTA are led by content-specific cohorts, thoughtfully planned by the Teaching & Learning content leads. These sessions give teachers a chance to focus on their subject areas and prepare for what they’ll be teaching in the classroom.
Meals are provided each day with help from community partners, offering a simple way to support teachers as they settle in and learn.
Quarterly New Teacher Academies
Throughout the school year, brand-new teachers attend additional academy sessions. These days are built into the school calendar and give teachers time to observe model lessons, collaborate with others, and focus on topics like classroom management and well-being.
“It’s a collaboration between our Induction team and the Teaching & Learning team,” Kirby explained.
Lead Mentors and Support Mentors
Every school has a lead mentor, a trained teacher who helps guide and support new hires at the building level. These mentors run site-based orientations, coordinate monthly New Teacher Network sessions, and often plan activities like school tours to help teachers get familiar with their new environment.
“They’re the bridge between our district and the school, and it’s one of the most powerful ways teachers feel supported,” Kirby said.
Alongside them are support mentors, who provide one-on-one support for brand-new teachers in their first three years of teaching. These mentorships offer a more personal connection, giving new educators a trusted person to lean on as they grow.
School-Based Induction Programs
This includes monthly New Teacher Network meetings where teachers get together to reflect, problem-solve, and connect. These meetings are hosted by the school’s mentors and are tailored to what teachers at that school need most.
Well Teacher + Whole Teacher Initiatives
These programs focus on helping teachers take care of themselves while managing the demands of the job. From mental wellness to classroom organization, these supports help teachers feel grounded and prepared.
“This part of the program has been my passion from the beginning,” Kirby shared. “The district recognized the importance of focusing on the realities of teaching. Not just the joyful moments, but the tough ones too. My role is to help make sure teachers have real strategies and support to move through those experiences with confidence. We want them to feel cared for as more than just professionals, but as people. When teachers are well, students are better off too.”
Why It Works
Kirby said the key to the program’s success is a mix of structure and flexibility, all grounded in relationships.
“We have these strong district-wide systems, but we also give schools the freedom to shape their own support. That’s the magic,” she explained.
Another important piece is the support of four New Teacher Coaches who work across the district. These coaches are part of the induction team and offer personalized help to new teachers throughout the year. Whether it’s support with classroom planning, problem-solving, or just having someone to talk to, they help ensure new teachers have what they need. They also help lead key events like New Teacher Academy, New Hire Orientation, and the Quarterly NTAs.
Today, 43 percent of the district’s certified educators are connected to the induction program in some way. That might be through mentorship, coaching, monthly sessions, or one-on-one check-ins.
And when we asked Kirby what advice she’d give to any new teacher trying to get “first day ready,” her answer was simple:
“Rely on what you already know about kids. If students feel cared for and engaged in powerful learning opportunities, that’s a successful day.”
Whether it’s a teacher unpacking boxes in a new city or a first-year educator imagining their classroom for the very first time, they’re all preparing for something important: welcoming students. With the support of mentors, teammates, and a community that cares, they’re building the confidence they need to begin the year with purpose.
