Skip To Main Content

menu--popup

search--popup

Find it Fast

MV Knight

New teachers meet for orientation at STEAM Academy ahead of 2026-27 school year

Three smiling people stand in front of a large window with a view of an outdoor HVAC unit.
New teachers meet for orientation at STEAM Academy ahead of 2026-27 school year

Incoming Mount Vernon City School District teachers met at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy yesterday for new teacher orientation and an opportunity to meet administrators and learn about the school district and their roles. They also met with Mount Vernon Federation of Teachers union leadership to end orientation. 

A presenter in a tan suit gestures towards a large screen displaying "MOUNT VERNON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT GEMS OF INSTRUCTION" to an audience seated in chairs in the foreground.

Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland was introduced to the teachers by Director of Prekindergarten Dr. Gayle White. He welcomed them and discussed the upcoming school year, including the theme of Excellence by Design and how it will shape their work. He also discussed academic achievement goals, operational goals, and culture and climate before answering questions teachers had about the district and their assignments.

 He emphasized that everything that is done in the district, should be done to benefit students. 

“I’m always student focused, and we must make sure that we keep them in the forefront in all that we do,” Dr. Strickland said. 

A presenter stands before a large screen in a classroom setting, while an audience sits attentively in the foreground.

Teachers also learned about the different departments in the district from Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Administration Dr. Jamal Dogget, Assistant Superintendent for Student Personnel Services LaJuan White, and Assistant Superintendent for Business Joe Lin. 

One new teacher, Rashauna McKenzie, attended the Mount Vernon City School District and is looking forward to giving back to her community by educating its children. She will teach second grade at Edward Williams, where she also has the privilege of replacing her favorite teacher, Keith McCall, as he becomes a math specialist.

“He made a really big impact on me,” said Ms. McKenzie. “He made a difference. When I was in school, I wasn’t always the best student and didn’t get the best grades, but he was the first teacher to believe in me. I’m excited to give back and to be the teacher that does the same and makes a difference.”

Two women smile in the foreground, with a blurred background of windows and brick buildings.
A presenter in a suit addresses an audience in a classroom with a presentation screen in the background.
A man in a suit presents a gas pump image on a large screen to an audience seated at tables in a classroom.
A woman in a yellow shirt gestures while speaking to an audience in a classroom with a "STEAM" poster on the wall.
In the foreground, a woman in a green outfit gestures with her right hand while speaking, and in the background, several other women stand and listen, with a colorful mural on the wall behind them.
A man in a suit presents to an audience in a classroom with a large screen displaying text.
A purple folder labeled "New Teacher Orientation 2020-2021" sits on a desk in the foreground, with a small gift basket to its left, and blurred classroom chairs in the background.


 


 

Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year
Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland is putting literacy, attendance and student voice among the district’s top priorities for the new school year, while rolling out new technology, expanding access for families and pledging continued transparency about district finances. Dr. Strickland laid out those priorities in his Aug. 25 Superintendent’s Report, describing a districtwide effort to strengthen instruction and the systems that support students. The work is being framed by a new theme, “Excellence by Design,” which he said reflects a deliberate approach to improvement.

Three women stand behind a table with baby manikins in the foreground, while a colorful bulletin board is visible in the background.
Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors trained in CPR, first aid and AED response

Thirty-eight Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors returned to school this week with an important new set of skills: the ability to respond when a child or adult faces a potentially life-threatening emergency. The monitors, along with two Central Office staff members, were trained Wednesday in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and the use of an automated external defibrillator during the District’s first Superintendent’s Conference Day of the 2026-27 school year.

 

A server in an apron offers a sample of food to a woman wearing a lei, while a cafeteria setting with other people is visible in the background.
MVCSD food service staff get a taste of year ahead during professional development retreat

Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors, head chefs, managers and other food service workers kicked off the new school year with their annual professional development retreat, which served up valuable training, teamwork and a taste of what’s ahead for 2026-27. Staff members from Sodexo – the District’s K-12 food services provide -- gathered at Mount Vernon High School for the various activities, including food tasting, as they prepared to welcome students back from summer vacation. The annual professional development sessions help employees review procedures and regulations while strengthening the teamwork necessary to provide exceptional service to students.

Mount Vernon's Jewel Box
Mount Vernon's Jewel Box - Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to school! This week, The Mount Vernon City School District greeted students and staff with warm smiles for another exciting school year. Teachers quickly began diving into curriculum, starting off the academic year strong. You can also view Mount Vernon’s Jewel Box on our Facebook, Instagram or YouTube! #ExcellencebyDesign