Highlands County Schools officially marked the beginning of the upcoming school year today as the Human Resources Department hosted its annual New Teacher Orientation, welcoming 24 new-to-the-district teachers.
The orientation serves as a foundational launchpad for incoming staff, offering deep dives into district policies and procedures while connecting new teachers with district leaders who will support them throughout the year.
Superintendent Longshore opened the event by inviting attendees to introduce themselves and begin building connections. A standout moment of the morning was learning that over half of the new hires are Highlands County School District alumni returning to teach in the community where they grew up. Several new teachers proudly shared that they attended Highlands County schools for their entire K–12 education; one stated that they started at the Kindergarten Learning Center!
This year’s cohort represents a diverse range of subjects and specialties, including ESE, all levels of core classes, agriculture, Air Force ROTC, and several educators who will also serve as athletic coaches.
During her opening address, Superintendent Longshore reminded the new staff that academic success starts with human connection. "Building relationships with students is one of the most important things you will do," she emphasized.
The annual orientation event was made possible in part through the generous sponsorship of Mid-Florida Credit Union, demonstrating ongoing community support for local public education.
Highlands County Schools is thrilled to welcome these 24 dedicated individuals as they prepare to enter their classrooms and impact students in the coming days.
