On August 22, 2023, the Norristown Area School District celebrated its annual opening ceremony to welcome faculty and staff from the entire district into the coming 2023-2024 school year. Teachers and paraprofessionals filled the seats of NAHS's auditorium. With wonderful student performances, words of wisdom from teachers and administrators and an amazing keynote presentation from the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dr. Khalid Mumin, the ceremony was a huge success.
The ceremony opened with a performance from NAHS Jazz Royale, the national anthem from the District Faculty Choir, the presentation of colors from the JROTC Eagle Battalion and another musical performance from rising freshman Brianna Arroyo. The district opening ceremony had a number of faculty and administrators speak about embracing the “why” behind teaching, honoring teachers with over 25 years of service, welcoming new staff members and reflecting on the goal of forming a strong community. Speakers included Superintendent, Mr. Chris Dormer; Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Yolanda Williams; Chief Human Resources Officer, Ms. Tanya Festa-Piedra; Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tracy Richardson; President of the Educational Association of Norristown Area, Mr. Lee Speers; Principal of Cole Manor Elementary, Dr. Nicole Poncheri; Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer, Mr. Steven Willis; Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Leo Desrosiers; and President of the NASD School Board, Mr. Phillip Daniels. This year’s keynote speaker was Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dr. Khalid Mumin. The ceremony concluded with a lively piano duet from Bani Alvarado Dorantes (11th grade) and Uzziel Alvarado Dorantes (8th grade), and a performance from the NAHS Drumline.
It was an honor for Dr. Mumin to come and speak at the District Opening Ceremony. He shared stories about his career as a teacher, a principal and a superintendent. He reminded teachers and staff to embrace the roles that they take on for their students and to take care of themselves in order to take care of their students. He ended with 10 Commitments as an Educator; they are as follows:
Give 100% of yourself 100% of the time.
Believe in your power and influence as a teacher.
Meet students where they are and push them to infinite possibilities.
Don’t major in the minors in terms of making mistakes.
Be an active participant in telling the story of the children you serve.
Make the commitment to be visible in the communities of the students you serve.
Match student excitement and curiosity about learning.
Have fun while doing it.
Stay consistent and fair.
Believe, believe, believe.
Click here to see the highlights of the Opening Ceremony.