TEACHERS READY TO GREET KIDS BACK IN CLASS.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Students return to classrooms in the William S. Hart Union High School District today, but campuses have been bustling with teachers preparing for the new school year since early August.

New teachers with less than three years' experience reported for training on Aug. 6, meeting with the district's peer assistance review team. The team members - exemplary teachers who work closely with new teachers throughout their first year - explained the program and offered workshops on classroom strategies and the district's goals.

All teachers new to the district also reported for duty on Aug. 9 for training on the district's technology systems. They were introduced to the district's e-mail system, grading programs, other technical systems and support.

The new teachers then reported to their individual schools earlier this week. They were treated to a luncheon by the Hart District Teachers Association on Thursday. HTDA President Orval Garrison welcomed the newcomers, who also had an opportunity to meet Board President Steve Sturgeon, Superintendent Bob Lee and Assistant Superintendents Mike von Buelow and Leslie Crunelle.

``This is the largest group of new teachers we have hired into the district,'' von Buelow told the group at the luncheon. He added that more than 120 new teachers have been hired so far and the number is expected to reach 130 this fall.

The district's personnel office also kept busy over the summer processing transfers of 135 returning teachers who have moved to the district's three new schools this semester or shifted to other campuses to fill vacancies.

``This was a good year to be hiring new teachers,'' said Rochelle Neal, director of human resources. ``Many districts in the state are downsizing, and we were able to hire many new teachers who come with valuable experience and excellent references.''

A number of new teachers are themselves graduates of Hart high schools. Marissa Mullen, who spoke at the luncheon, is a graduate of Saugus High School and will be returning there as a teacher this year.

``I loved the education I got and wanted to be a part of it,'' Mullen told her fellow recruits at the luncheon.

Molly Peters, a newly hired teacher from out of town, also gave her perspective at the luncheon. Coming to the Hart district after several years of teaching high school in Bakersfield, she is previously from Illinois and said she is looking forward to the new experience of teaching in the Santa Clarita Valley. Peters will be teaching choir classes at the new West Ranch High School and Rancho Pico Junior High this year.