With the start of the new school year, the school has become acquainted with fresh faces. This year there are 24 new staff members. Just like new students, staff members get nervous on the first day.

New science teacher Kelli Davis and new English teacher Vanessa Schumacher both experienced first day jitters.

“This is my fourth-year teaching and I still got nervous on the first day,” Davis said.

Schumacher had similar feelings.

“I’ll admit I was nervous on the first day,” Schumacher said. “I had never taught in a block schedule and was concerned about how to arrange my time to best meet the needs of my students.”

Many of the new staff members have been working in the school industry for many years before transferring.

“Prior to working at Hays High, I was the freshmen English teacher and Journalism instructor at Thomas More Prep-Marian,” Schumacher said. “This will be my fifth-year teaching.”

Former teacher Kelli Karlin has returned to teach part-time.

“I retired from Hays High in 2016,” Karlin said. “This school is my second home and I truly believe it is a fabulous place to work.”

Even as new staff members, many of them hope to accomplish many things by the end of this school year. The new library aide, Erin Holder, has a lot she is hoping to achieve this school year.

“I am hoping to transform the library into a place where students want to be, and feel welcome in,” Holder said. “This is a great area and needs to be utilized, my goal is to make this space their space.”

Schumacher as well has high expectations and has a lot she’s wanting to fulfill by the end of the school year.

“I want every student to understand the importance of a good education and not take it for granted,” Schumacher said. “Every teachers end game is to see former students succeeding, not just in education, but in life.”

20mweber@usd489.com