A Roaring Welcome: Linden's New Teachers Join the Mission

Tiger-led clap-in launches New Teacher Orientation with cheers, connection and a clear message of purpose

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ (Aug. 25) — Before the policies, presentations and first-day particulars came something louder: a roar.

Led by the district’s Tiger mascot, administrators and staff formed a makeshift tunnel in the courtyard outside the School No. 4 gymnasium Tuesday morning, turning an ordinary arrival into a spirited 8:45 a.m. clap-in.

First through was Shannon Burke, an incoming fourth-grade teacher at School No. 2. She stepped into the Soul Train-style welcome line and into a burst of cheers and applause — the first of Linden’s new teachers to get an unmistakably enthusiastic introduction to the district.

Then came the others, one by one. Hands clapped. Voices rose. The Tiger led the way as cheers followed the educators through the tunnel.

It was celebratory, a little unexpected and unmistakably Linden — a first impression designed to tell the district’s newest educators, before a single presentation began, that they were already part of the team.

The celebration kicked off Day 1 of New Teacher Orientation, led by Human Resources Director Dr. Kayla Lott. The cheers soon gave way to a larger message: Welcome to Linden. Now, there is work to do.

District administrators introduced themselves before Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, Board of Education President Malaysia Thomas, Board Vice President Dr. Marlene Berghammer and Mayor Derek Armstead welcomed the new educators.

Perkins quickly put their arrival into perspective.

“You did not just take a job. You joined a mission,” she told them.

That mission, she emphasized, is rooted in community, collaboration and serving the diverse students and families who make up Linden Public Schools.

Perkins used the orientation to connect the teachers to the district’s broader vision, mission and six core beliefs. Linden Public Schools, they were told, is a committed community with a charge that extends beyond academics: helping students reflect on and positively contribute to an ever-changing world.

Among those core beliefs: Every child has unique talents and needs. Continuous improvement matters. And new voices matter, too. The teachers were encouraged to ask questions, offer ideas and become active participants in the district community.

Armstead and Perkins made that idea of community personal. Both attended Linden Public Schools, and both have family ties to the city stretching back generations.

Their history provided a bridge to the Linden of today: a culturally and linguistically diverse district serving students from more than 30 countries and representing nearly 40 languages. That global identity is visible every day — in classrooms and arts programs, on athletic fields, through family engagement and in world language instruction.

But diversity, Perkins stressed, is about more than geography or language. Linden families arrive with different circumstances, experiences and levels of need. So do their children. The task for educators is to recognize those differences, see the strengths each student carries into the classroom and make sure every child is supported.

From Welcome to the Work Ahead

Under Lott’s leadership, Day 1 moved quickly from welcome to preparation. An opening District BINGO exercise broke the ice; what followed dug into the responsibilities of the classroom and the support systems surrounding it.

Ryan Devaney, supervisor of student services, led a session on social-emotional learning and harassment, intimidation and bullying. District Security Director Keith Aslin followed with an overview of school safety and security.

Then came a question aimed squarely at identity and expectations: “What does a new Linden teacher look like?” Teachers explored that question together before an introduction to the Multilingual Learners Department from Director Danie Orelien and supervisors Stephanie Ross and Tania Miguelez. The day also included computer distribution, ID photos and lunch catered by the Linden Education Association.

In the afternoon, Lott guided the new educators through district policies and procedures before the day concluded with a question-and-answer session and wrap-up.

Becoming Part of the Linden Community

Days 2 of the orientation continues tomorrow (Aug. 26)

The welcome will continue Thursday (Aug. 27), when district leaders return to School No. 4 for another clap-in, this time greeting new non-certificated staff members and student teachers.