TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District welcomed more than 80 new teachers to the district during a New Teacher Induction ceremony Friday (July 31).
The day-long event celebrated 85 teachers who are new to Temple ISD. Those teachers spent the morning receiving a “crash course” in district procedures from the TISD human resources staff. Topics covered everything from receiving their first paycheck to arranging for a substitute. New teachers had an opportunity to hear from several guest speakers with messages to inform and inspire them going into the new year. The newcomers also participated in a discussion with some of the district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year candidates who recently completed their first year on the job to hear firsthand accounts of what might be in store for the upcoming year.
“New Teacher Induction is one of my favorite times of the year because it represents a new beginning – not only for our educators, but for the thousands of students whose lives they will impact,” said Dr. Donna Ward, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for Temple schools. “We are excited to welcome these talented professionals to the Temple ISD family and are committed to supporting them every step of the way. Our teachers are the heart of the district, and we look forward to seeing the relationships they build, the learning they inspire, and the difference they will make in our schools and our community.”
The teachers were then introduced to the group by their campus principal and received a pin welcoming them to Temple ISD. School board members and district administrators were on hand to greet the new teachers and share lunch with them. Joshua Pacheco is in his third year in education and his first year in Temple ISD. He is the new percussion director at Temple High School and will also work with middle school bands. Pacheco has already been working with the Wildcat Band during fall band camp and he says this week has just had a different feel for him as he is welcomed into Temple ISD.
“It just feels very supportive, and it feels like such a community here,” Pacheco said. “I have actually been surprised by just how much of a community feel there is here and how supported we feel as new teachers.”
About 30 of the teachers at the event are new to the profession and New Teacher Induction also wrapped up the week-long IGNITE Academy for new teachers. IGNITE stands for Investing in the Growth of New and Innovative Teachers and the academy is designed to positively impact beginning teaching effectiveness through ongoing training and support. Sereniti Patterson is one of those new teachers. The Temple graduate will be starting her teaching career as Bonham Middle School’s theatre arts instructor. She says she is thrilled to be able to start her career in her hometown in what feels like a dream come true.
“I finally feel like I am really stepping into the profession and I’m starting to feel more comfortable,” Patterson said. “I always told myself if the opportunity came up, I was going to teach in Temple, so when the position opened up at Bonham, I was beyond ecstatic. I always knew that Temple was strong on community but being here as a teacher and having them open their arms wide, I am so blessed to be here.”
Even though the two teachers are at different points in their career and come from different backgrounds, they have more in common than just being in their first year with Temple ISD. Both teachers say they can’t wait to get the year started.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting the students and getting to know them,” Patterson said. “Taking theatre in Temple ISD changed my life, I think being given the opportunity to change someone’s life and make them as passionate about something as I am, is just beyond my dreams. I can’t believe I’m in this position.”
“I am really ready for the first day of school,” Pacheco added. “I think the thing I am most looking forward to is the chance to be at football games with the band.”
Following lunch, participants closed out the day with a technology training session at Temple High School. The new teachers will report directly to their campuses on Monday for the first official day of work. The first day of school for TISD for the 2026-2027 school year will be August 13th. This year's group of new teachers is more than 20 teachers smaller than last year's group thanks to higher teacher retention numbers in Temple ISD.