New teachers gather for the start of the new school year

By Heather Michon
Correspondent

With the start of the school year just two weeks away, Fluvanna County Public Schools held its annual teacher orientation breakfast at Fluvanna Middle School on Tuesday morning (July 30). 

About 27 new elementary, middle and high school teachers–ranging from veteran educators to recent graduates–have joined the faculty for the 2024-2025 school year.

“This is a phenomenal place to be,” said Superintendent Peter Gretz. “You’re going to find this is a very welcoming community that’s going to do everything they can to help you.”

Executive Director Don Stribling stressed the importance of teamwork in meeting the ultimate goal: ”Educating our students. Making them better people.”

Stribling introduced key members of the administration, the principals, and community leaders. 

“This is my favorite day of the year, because it’s the start of something new, right?” said Palmyra School Board member James Kelley.  

Also on hand were county law enforcement representatives, who encouraged teachers to reach out and use them as a resource whenever they needed.

“There is no school-to-prison pipeline here in Fluvanna,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff Haislip.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Galloway highlighted some of the joint programs between the schools and their office that try to put in guardrails to help students before they run into trouble. 

“Fluvanna is a team,” said Sheriff Eric Hess. “Everybody works together.”

This was also an opportunity to meet each of the individual leadership from the four main county schools.

“Education is hard,” said Central Elementary School principal Amy Barnabe. “It’s not a job, it’s a way of life.”

Each year, Stribling issues the same important warning for newcomers. “Leave at least 20 or 30 minute earlier than you were expecting, at least for the first two or three weeks,” he said. “And then, you’ll be able to tell whether you can stop by Dunkin’s at the crossroads, and you’ll have plenty of time if you get stuck behind a bus.”