The start of something new: Teachers and students prepare for the 2022-2023 year

Teachers in Gaston County Schools have been hard at work preparing their classrooms, planning lessons, and getting ready for a new roster of students.  A new school year is here, and students return to class on Wednesday, August 17.  

Betsy Conyers, who teaches students with developmental disabilities in the third through fifth grades at Lingerfeldt Elementary, is ready for her students to return from the summer break. 

“I’m really excited to see all the children come back,” she said.  “I can’t wait to see how much they have grown over the summer, and I’m excited to try new things together this school year.” 

This is the same sentiment echoed by Holbrook Middle School media specialist Summer Kelly, who is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting the incoming sixth graders. 

Kelly, who has been hard at work decorating the media center (and her Harry Potter tree) ahead of the students’ return, said, “The thing I’m looking forward to the most about the first day of school is seeing all of my students and hearing all about the amazing things they did over the summer.” 

Jennifer Greene, a third grade English/language arts teacher, said her favorite part about the start of a new school year is the opportunities that it presents.  “I’m so looking forward to my students being hyped up about learning,” she said. “And, I want to encourage them any way that I can.” 

Ninth grader Alex Burch attended freshman camp at Forestview High School.  It was his first opportunity to see inside the school and learn what it is like to be in high school.  He is excited about becoming a high school student and a Jaguar.

“I don’t know what to expect, really.  The school is big,” he said. “But, it’ll be good.  It’s Forestview!” 

While getting started on the right foot with academics is important, Burch says he’s got something else to look forward to just as much.  “I’m ready for Friday night football games because I’m getting to play.  So, that’s really exciting.”

Erica Scharber will also be on the football field on Friday nights. Serving as the drum major for Stuart W. Cramer High School, she says the marching band plays a big role in her life, and she is excited to get to share her passion with others. 

“I love music,” she said. “Without it, life would be really dull, and to be able to make music yourself, that makes it even better.”  Her role in the marching band has her pondering the future. “I’m thinking about making a career out of music after high school.”

Click here for back-to-school information from Gaston County Schools.