Social studies teacher Jaclyn Edwards, English teacher Kirk Hinton, special education teacher Heather Johanson, music teacher Michael Najar and science teacher Michelle Steingart have assumed new roles.

The resignation, retirement and promotion of former instructional supervisors had left many shoes to fill. Social studies teacher Eric Bloom decided to step down from his position as the instructional supervisor after seven years to concentrate on finishing his masters degree, according to Edwards. She added that social studies teacher Kathleen Laurence had planned to replace Bloom, but the resignation of former assistant principal Todd Feinberg opened the opportunity for her to replace him giving Edwards the opportunity to become the social studies department instructional supervisor.

In the English department, former teacher Trinity Klein had been the instructional supervisor for five years, but she is now the Administrative Teacher on Special Assignment, according to Hinton. Klein said she now manages several administrative issues including freshmen attendance, discipline and school-wide testing.

Additionally, former science teacher Kathie Lawrence’s retirement opened up the instructional supervisor position to Steingart. Najar replaced Ron Williamson in the visual and performing arts department, and Johanson assumed the newly-created instructional supervisor position for the special education department.

The instructional supervisor appointment process is composed of several steps, including writing a letter and attending an interview, according to Edwards.

“With the support of my department, I decided to throw in my name as [instructional supervisor], got formally interviewed with the district office, and was later given the position,” she said.

With many new instructional supervisors this year, training has been planned throughout the year to assist them, according to Steingart. Their responsibilities vary for each department, but usually consist of organization and management, teacher support, and overseeing meetings.

“There is lots of organizational work,” Steingart said. “I also represent the science department in Ed Council meetings and relay the information back to the department.”

As a result, instructional supervisors enjoy two release periods because of the work they do for evaluations, according to Hinton.

Hinton saw the opportunity of becoming an instructional supervisor as a chance to help the school positively and have a taste of something new. Similarly, Steingart viewed her new position as another way to get involved in the school through both decision making and being a voice to teachers and students.

At the same time, all teachers acknowledge the difficulty of the tasks involved.

“It’s like having one foot in the classroom and the other in administration,” Edwards said. “A very interesting and sometimes challenging place to be.”

With different administration faculty as well as a new bell schedule, Edwards is glad to be a part of the process of change.

“I am happy and excited to be the new IS,” Edwards said. “There are many changes happening this year and it feels good to be a part of those changes.”