Frankfort District 157-C welcomes new staff

Administrators and four members of the Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education welcomed a group of roughly three dozen new teachers and staff members before the regular Sept. 19 school board meeting at Grand Prairie Elementary School.

Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni said she was grateful to the staff for joining the district and for all of their work during the first month of the 2018-19 school year.

All three of the district’s principals introduced new staff from their buildings who were in attendance, and provided some background about their careers and their positions in the district.

Many new staff members said they were grateful to be part of the district, citing the close culture and team environment, as well as the enthusiasm students have for learning.

Cassidy Smith, fifth-grade teacher at Chelsea Intermediate School, said that staff in the district have been very helpful, and she always knows where to go for help.

Adam Tourlakes, a paraprofessional and reading interventionist at Hickory Creek Middle School, said he is amazed at how energized the students are to learn and how positive they are.

Eighth-grade special education teacher Sheryl O’Rourke added that staff members’ willingness to build each other up and work together sets Frankfort apart from other districts.

School Board President Gina Briese thanked all of the staff for joining the district and said that she was proud to have them on board.