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New district teachers welcomed and treated to lunch
Aug. 13, 2020
The Talent Acquisition Team held a welcoming event Wednesday for teachers who are joining the district for the first time. Held at Largo, Gibbs and Clearwater high schools, the new teachers were greeted with a boxed lunch provided by Jason’s Deli and a goodie bag that included a Chick-fil-A gift card.
The 130 teachers who participated could either walk up or drive through in their cars.
“I think this is great,” said Lori Laraia, who will be teaching fifth grade at Clearwater Intermediate School. “It’s very limited on what they can do and it’s great that they figured out a way to do something for us.”
Laurel Wendt will be teaching at Frontier Elementary this fall. This is a very special moment for her. She attended Garrison-Jones Elementary, Palm Harbor Middle School, and graduated from Palm Harbor University High.
“It’s super cool,” said Wendt, who will be teaching third grade. “It’s nice to be able to give back to the district that taught you.”
Lisa Lennox is now an assistant principal at Tarpon Springs High School and she is extremely happy to see her former student become a district teacher. Lennox was Wendt’s middle school math teacher.
“You are always overwhelming surprised when a former student follows your career path and that you may have had an impact on them making that decision,” Lennox said.
Lennox was Wendt’s favorite teacher.
“Relationships are important between students and teachers,” Wendt said. “It’s the teaching relationship that Mrs. Lennox had with me that made her my favorite teacher.”
Debra Cucchiara, the district’s Talent Acquisition Manager, said Wednesday’s welcoming event was a way to let new teachers know that they have a new family.
“We needed to say welcome and tell them that this is home,” Cucchiara said. “We are beyond thankful that they are here and that they are going to be teaching in our community.”