BRIDGEPORT – The newest educators at Bridgeport Exempted Village School District completed final preparation before meeting their students by joining an orientation Aug. 11 ahead of the first day of school Aug. 20.
The Bulldog family is growing larger, with a sizeable group of about a dozen teachers and a new school nurse stepping into their roles. Many will work out of the multipurpose facility to be dubbed “The Bridge” which has since opened Aug. 13 with expanded educational opportunities.
Superintendent Brent Ripley and other administrators welcomed the new hires, adding that they are joining at an auspicious time.
“It’s good to have you. We are growing here, not just student-wise but faculty-wise as well.”
Ripley said the district is following a promise at the Bridge’s groundbreaking to serve students and the community. The educators are bringing a range of valuable skills and experience to Bridgeport Schools’ mission.
Bridge Director Trina Kropka said the facility will enable Bridgeport Schools to serve community members from their earliest years to senior citizens.
“Come over to the Bridge. It’s going to be a place for the community. We want to not only get the kiddos involved but the families involved.”
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher agreed this is an exciting moment.
“We’re ready to go,” he said earlier. He recalled his own first staff day. “We really do a lot of great things here. It’s a great place to get you to buy in and really get involved.”
Bridgeport Elementary School Principal Kamaron Sabinski said a great future was in store.
“I would not want to be anywhere else. This district has my heart, and when you need help everyone is diving in to help you any way they can,” she said. “We have to be amazing to help our children.”
They heard from Curriculum Director Leslie Kosanovic, who said laying a foundation early in the school year will set students up for success. High School Counselor Vicki Falcone said Bridgeport Schools’ connection and support is second to none. Treasurer David Nelson spoke about his experience as a teacher prior to taking the treasurer’s position. His children are also students at the district. Special Education Director Beverly Prati said they were glad to have the educators here.
The new hires are all heavily invested in Bridgeport Schools. They include former paraprofessionals who will now be heading their own classrooms and Bridgeport Schools alumni who bleed blue and black. Others will be making use of the daycare offered at the Bridge to give their own children an early experience of Bulldog culture.
Returning Bulldog graduates included Ignatius “Nate” Stewart, one of the most recent new instructors, who will teach math and Social Studies for the sixth graders.
Stewart said returning to his alma mater was his goal when he discovered his passion for teaching and pursued the vocation. He looks forward to being a link between middle and high school and preparing middle schoolers for the challenges and opportunities they will have as freshmen.
“I went to high school here at Bridgeport and fell in love with it,” he said. “The staff have been one of the greatest things that I’ve ever experienced throughout my whole schooling career. They’ve always been willing to help out with anything, whether you’re a student, a peer. It doesn’t matter. You’re a part of the family.
“I’m very excited to work at my home school, and go Dogs!”
Long time nurseDana Kreiter is taking on a position teaching health science. Head wrestling coach and 2019 graduate Tino Kusic is moving from full-time substitute teacher last year to teaching in the high school/middle school language lab, eighth grade information technology and seventh grade health.
John Martin, an experienced educator and entrepreneur, will join the team as Engineering and Science and Technology instructor and introduce his students to hands-on technical education. Taylor Watson, a registered veterinary technician, will give students the experience of caring for a variety of animals.
Technology Coordinator Lisa Clark led the presentation by delving into the technology they will be using in the classroom. The hands-on opportunities Bridgeport Schools extends includes making use of the invaluable student interns. Clark said during the summer while staffers were occupied with preparing the Bridge, the interns took on the task of refreshing the iPads for student use. Clark said educators could always rely on support.
“We are here for you. You do not need to hesitate to ask any question.”
Systems Administrator Elliott Dean,a 2018 graduate, greeted the other graduates in the group. He kicked off security training with a presentation about potential vulnerabilities and the need to maintain awareness when looking over emails and choosing passwords.
“You are the first line of defense.”
Training continued into Aug. 12.
