Carrie Empie is experiencing information overload.
A new teacher at Randolph Elementary School, Empie just finished looking through her massive teacher’s guidebook issued to her by the school’s principal, Renee Bostick, and she looks as though her brain has reached maximum capacity.
"I’m really excited," she said, "But [also] extremely overwhelmed."
Fortunately for Empie, she’s probably not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Empie is one of ten new teachers at Randolph this year.
"This is not typical," Bostick said. "In the past we’ve only had six or seven [new teachers]. [But] we’ve had retirements and some of our teachers have moved out of state."
The school, located in South Arlington, held an orientation for its new instructors last week in anticipation of the rapidly approaching first day of classes.
The teachers, many of them about to take command of their own classes for the first time, were given brown paper bags full of supplies along with their hefty guidebooks.
"Out of dozens and dozens of people, you were the right match," Bostick told the group of teachers, most of whom were in their 20s.
The principal laid out the ropes for the new teachers by telling them about their classes and about the children they would soon be instructing.
"Seldom if ever do we have major discipline problems," she said. "Most of our kids are just so glad to be in school."
The teachers were also told about test taking policies, how to arrange field trips, what to do in bad weather and what to do when they see Bostick in the back of their classrooms taking notes. (The answer to that last one: Don’t worry. Act natural.)
Bostick concluded by noting that she is "thrilled with the staff sitting here. They’re excited about teaching… and they’re determined to do the right thing."
THE NEW TEACHERS at Randolph give different reasons for why they decided to start their careers in Arlington.
Matt Tosiello, who will be teaching third grade, said he came to the county because of the many different backgrounds of its student body.
"Arlington is one of the most diverse communities around," he said. "Its residents are very supportive even if they don’t have kids in schools."
Katie Bardon said that she decided to teach in Arlington Public Schools because of its reputation as a cutting edge school system.
"They are using the latest technology," Bardon said. "The resources are available." She also said "There’s a lot of support available [here] for students and teachers."
After the orientation session, the teachers dispersed to begin unpacking their supplies in their very own classrooms.
Bevin Lawson, a recent graduate of James Madison University who will be a kindergarten teacher, said that she liked the orientation because "You can never be too prepared. There’s always something to be done."
Leah Goodman, who will be teaching a 4th grade special education class, grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from James Madison with a master’s degree in education last year. Before coming to Randolph, she served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.
"I hope my Spanish will help me out here," she said as she walked into her new classroom for the first time.