New Teacher Academy welcomes educators to Eastpointe Community Schools

EASTPOINTE — The new educators hired in Eastpointe Community Schools for the 2024-2025 school year received a warm welcome when they participated in a New Teacher Academy Aug. 13-15.

The academy was held at the district’s Early Learning Center, which houses several preschool programs. The academy included sessions with teachers and paraprofessionals who are new to the district or were hired last year but after the school year started and who missed the New Teacher Academy. At press time, the new school year was to begin with a half-day Aug. 26.

The New Teacher Academy covered a number of topics. Staff members received identification badges and laptops, learned to properly operate a Smart Board, were brought up-to-date on timecards and also received input regarding classroom routines and instruction. Each new teacher received a swag bag with Eastpointe Community Schools items because staff is encouraged to wear district swag on Fridays.

“I think they’re doing very well,” district Executive Director of Human Resources Julie Alspach said of the academy. “It gives them a sense of belonging. It’s been great to talk to everyone.”

There was also time for a scavenger hunt that allowed the new staff the chance to meet each other and make connections. During one session, Superintendent Christina Gibson visited. On another day, Pamela Rosam of Rosa Educational Consulting, gave a presentation that focused on the six essentials of high impact teaching and learning.

Miya Clark and Jordyn Boggia — who taught elsewhere prior to coming to ECS — were among the new teachers who attended the academy. Both will teach at Pleasantview Elementary; Clark will teach third grade and Boggia will teach fourth grade. Being in the classroom is definitely their calling.

“Nothing is more satisfying than that student who doesn’t get it and then the lightbulb goes off,” Clark said. “Or when I make them enjoy something, I love that feeling.”

Clark also likes to engage the students in conflict resolution, which is generally the process of ending a dispute and reaching an agreement that satisfies all involved.

“Without raising your voice, you can get the point across in other ways,” she said.

When looking back on her own school experience, Clark’s fourth grade teacher stands out. Her family had moved and she began at a new school.

“I was the only African American student. Nobody looked like me,” Clark said. “I was constantly getting asked racially charged questions. ‘Why is your skin so dark?’”

However, that one special teacher reminded her of her abilities, encouraging her to “still be a successful person. She really pushed me.”

For Boggia, the best part of teaching is the classroom culture. When she had her baby last year, a son, Boggia’s students were so excited.

“I love building relationships with my students. If they don’t love you or like you, they won’t learn from you,” she said. “It’s super important for the kids to know I’m just not a teacher but I have a family too.”

Mental health also will be a focus.

“I think mental health is very important,” Boggia said. “Kids don’t know how to manage their emotions. They need to be taught.”

Both Clark and Boggia appreciated the New Teacher Academy.

“Coming into a new district, it’s nerve-racking,” Boggia said. “It’s good we’re able to meet others, and I’ve been able to get to know Mia.”

“Even though a lot of this is not new to me, it helps refresh my memory,” Clark said.

Band and choir students at Eastpointe Middle School and Eastpointe High School have a new teacher this year. Ontrice Ramsey II has been hired to teach music at both schools, the first three hours at the high school, a lunch prep hour and the last three hours at the middle school. There also will be times in which Ramsey will return to the high school after school for rehearsals and practices.

A graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Ramsey comes from a family of teachers, and was the student choir director in both high school and college.

“Music has been a passion of mine since I can remember,” he said.

This marks his first year teaching, and he is ready. Ramsey will expose his students to all kinds of music, including jazz, classical, gospel and contemporary.

“It’s very important to have some form of diversity in music,” Ramsey said. “With each genre, you’ll get a full understanding of the music.”

He found the New Teacher Academy a great way to start the school year.

“It’s giving me a perspective of different techniques I can use in the classroom,” Ramsey said.

 

Preschool update
The Great Start Readiness Program held at the Early Learning Center still has openings. Children must be age 4 before Dec. 1. The Great Start Readiness Program is Michigan’s state-funded preschool for 4-year-old children. Families qualify for the free preschool program based on annual income guidelines.

Head Start also is offered at the ELC. This year, there also will be one Head Start class at Crescentwood Elementary School and one at Forest Park Elementary School. Head Start is a state-funded, income-based program for children from birth to age 5 that focuses on healthy child development and school readiness. For more information on either program, call the ELC at (586) 533-3900.