OKALOOSA ISLAND — It was anything but business as usual Tuesday as Okaloosa County teachers returned for the 2013-14 school year.
Rather than spend the morning in their classrooms or in meetings at their schools, they were invited to the Emerald Coast Convention Center for a motivational event to promote teamwork countywide.
“It was a wonderful way to kick off the school year,” said Leah McGill, a teacher at Destin Middle School. “It’s a moment of wonderful spirit and camaraderie.”
After hearing opening words of encouragement from Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson, a drum line made up of students from all the high schools pumped up the crowd.
Prior to hearing from keynote speaker Todd Whitaker, an author and well-known figure in education, schools participated in a roll call that allowed them to show their spirit.
A few schools just let out a loud cheer when their name was called, but others had coordinated cheers, songs and props. Choctawhatchee High School brought back their drum line. The Meigs Middle School contingent used signs, chants, lights and smoke to announce their presence.
VIDEO: Drum lines perform at the presentation. >>
The teachers also heard from most the district’s senior staff and all but one School Board member.
Initially, Whitaker was to speak to three Fort Walton Beach schools, but Jackson saw it as a perfect opportunity to bring everyone together.
For the same $8,900 fee to speak to three schools, he agreed to speak with everyone, Jackson said. Whittaker’s fee and rent for the Convention Center came from the school district’s general fund.
Read the speaker's contract. >>
All food and drinks were donated by various groups involved with the school district, she added.
Tuesday marked the first time in more than 20 years that all teachers were brought together at the beginning of the school year, Jackson said.
“One of the goals I have had and I have talked with staff about over and over ... we need to see ourselves as one team,” she said. “It’s all about teamwork.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.