GISD teachers kick off new school year with cheers, reflection during convocation
The atmosphere of Georgetown ISD’s annual staff convocation on August 6 was like a family reunion — folks catching up, new relatives to meet, and laughter and hugs aplenty.
The start of the new-school-year gathering kicked off with wry jokes about the electrical blackout at last year’s convocation. A heartfelt, “Welcome home!” greeted staff, followed by a challenge to the assembly, “Are you powered up and ready to go?”
The gathering also heard a heartfelt message delivered by Superintendent Devin Padavil in his welcoming address — “Do not underestimate your impact.”
“Education is about relationships,” he said. “Learning happens when adults and students form a bond of trust and respect.”
Then, Mr. Padavil told a personal story about how a high school teacher turned his own life around. Unmotivated, ranked the lowest student in his senior class, and with no future goals, Mr. Padavil recounted how a teacher took an interest in him, encouraged him and challenged him. Gradually, he said, he realized his life could change if he believed in himself, set goals and worked to achieve them.
“That teacher was a blessing in my life — as is each one of you for your students,” he said.
The inspirational tone was repeated by a panel of students and teachers — Amber Sladecek, Carver Elementary Teacher of the Year and District Elementary Teacher of the Year; Jennifer Taylor, East View High School Teacher of the Year and District Secondary Teacher of the Year; Kamrin Gordon, senior, Georgetown High School; and Andra (Ellie) Murphy, senior, East View High School. The group shared how, in their experiences on both sides of the student-teacher dynamic, “Learning doesn’t just happen,” Ms. Taylor said. “It starts with relationships.”
GHS senior Kamrin reminded the audience of teachers why they’re important.
“I can always tell when a teacher cares,” he said. “They meet you where you are and go from there. Respect is a two-way street. What you give you’re going to get back.”
GISD’s first day of the 2024-25 school year will be August 15.