Sitting at tables decorated with colorful signs with words like "teach, love, inspire" and flowers in alphabet vases, new teachers ate lunch as they listened to the inspiring words of a fellow educator.
The Rotary Club of Jefferson City hosted a New Teachers Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday at Jefferson City High School to welcome and inspire the 84 new teachers in the Jefferson City School District.
In a welcome speech, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin told the teachers there will be challenges, but having a positive outlook will allow their students to learn from them.
"I know exactly why each and every one of you is in the position that you are - because you have the ability to show how strong you are and overcome," she said. "It's so inspiring that you are in this field to teach our future generations, and I thank you for being in this position."
Rhonda Allen, JC Schools 2017-18 Teacher of the Year, gave a speech about putting in the work every day to make a difference in students' lives. After teaching in the district for 16 years and being a behavior interventionist for three, Allen is starting a new job as the assistant principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School this school year.
"The question that I have for all of you today is what will you do - what actions will you take - to manifest the kind of teacher you are called to be?" she said to the new teachers.
She then gave the teachers some inspiration on how to be the best versions of themselves as teachers, advising them to do their best every day, ask for help, work with their fellow staff members, be a lifelong learner and build relationships with students.
She said it's important to be courteous, consistent, fair, and firm with students and to do whatever it takes to make a difference in their lives.
"Working to be your best helps your students be their best," she said.
She told a story about walking a student home so she could talk to his parents after he was struggling in class. After that day, he started trying harder, and his grades improved because Allen's actions let him know she was serious and his success in class was important to her.
"You have to show up for your kids - and that's not just coming to school," she said. "When I say show up, I mean really showing up and doing your best every day. You have to come in on time, be prepared, ready to love, ready to change lives each day - because that's what we do."
After Allen's speech, JC Schools superintendent Larry Linthacum introduced the 84 new teachers, some who are first-time teachers and some who are new to the district.
Joshua Ferguson, Allen's cousin, will be a first-year teacher, teaching second grade at Moreau Heights Elementary School. After spending 13 years as the assistant school-age child care director at the YMCA, Ferguson decided he wanted to take a new path.
"I wanted to really make an impact on the kids not just by having fun, but getting in and being able to engage with them academically and see kids grow academically," he said. "My family comes from a long line of teachers, so just being able to follow in those footsteps is pretty cool."