Imperial, EC chambers host teachers
IMPERIAL COUNTY —In the last two days the Imperial and El Centro Chambers of Commerce put on back to school celebrations for teachers who begin the school year Monday.
More than 600 El Centro Elementary School District employees attended Wednesday morning’s Welcome Teachers Back Breakfast at Wilson Junior High that was put on by the El Centro Chamber of Commerce.
El Centro school teachers and staff were provided school materials from sponsors before the program began.
“We have the opportunity to say thank you for their work with students,” said El Centro Chamber of Commerce President Anne Irigoyen before the start of the program.
The event was to say thank you to not only teachers as support staff and those working in the district office were honored as well.
In Irigoyen’s seven years as chamber president the breakfast has been an annual event.
ECESD Superintendent Jon LeDoux also welcomed the teachers back.
Not all students are going to be college bound in the future, but each and every one of them can succeed, he said.
“Help me make sure our students are successful and lifelong learners,” he said.
He also thanked the teachers for their work and dedication.
“I appreciate your effort and me and my colleagues (on the board) support you,” Minnix said. “I want you to realize how important you are to our students and the county. Have a great and exciting school year.”
Teacher Association President Shalyn Smith said teachers need to design their classrooms for the students and if they do not succeed at first keep trying.
“We are always here to support you,” Smith said.
Ramos “Mo” Morrison, president of the California State Employees Association, said what sets the district apart from other ones is that its children are looked at as our children.
“We are all in this together,” he said. “You make an impact to students.”
The Imperial Chamber of Commerce event to welcome teachers back on Tuesday was a little different than El Centro’s.
Imperial Chamber President Susan Paradis said the luncheon, at T.L. Waggoner Elementary School this year, has been an annual event for years.
Unlike the El Centro Elementary School district, the luncheon the Imperial Chamber put on was for just the teachers, where about 120 attended.
Cross Elementary and Imperial teacher of the year Randi Ryan was the guest speaker and spoke on building relationships.
Members of the Imperial chamber gave away school and other items to jumpstart the new school year. There were also raffle prizes.
The lunch for the Imperial teachers came from Brickhouse Deli.