Chamber welcomes 20 new teachers to Newton schools

In her speech during the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce’s New Teacher Luncheon on Aug. 14 at Community Heights Alliance Church, KayLea Marchant reminded the 20 new educators hired at Newton Community School District this year just how impactful they are to their students.

The executive director of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce was candid and admitted school was more of a social gathering space for her. It wasn’t that she didn’t like learning — she still loves learning to this day — but, to her, math was for the birds. Still, there were things she liked about school.

“I was colorful and creative and a little bit different,” Marchant said. “I was a social butterfly, they said. Not all of my teachers understood that. But there was a select few who did, and they were the ones that saw the places that I struggled with … They saw the potential and they helped me find a way to put all of that in action.”

They found ways to use Marchant’s strengths to start growing in places that she struggled with. They engaged her and navigated her through those intimidating subjects and tasks. In the end, her teachers taught her something more valuable and worthwhile than what she picked up or struggled with in classroom studies.

“They taught me that learning from those scary things was just as big as learning all of the good things I was good at, too,” she said. “To this day, I can tell you who those teachers are. And I can tell you that I know how proud of me they are. They were at my graduation. I got wedding cards. I see them when I go back home.”

It was those teachers who made a lasting mark on Marchant’s life, and there is no doubt that Newton’s teachers will also get a chance to make a difference.

Marchant said, “I want to say on behalf of the Chamber, the Newton community and the City of Newton that we welcome you to our town.”