SALISBURY, N.C. — Wednesday is the start of a new school year for students in Rowan-Salisbury and Mooresville school districts. Staff and students say they’re ready for a return after pushing through the setbacks of COVID-19.
The districts are heading back to school a little earlier than Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other area schools, which are set to reopen near the end of the month. With a new director of accountability in place, the district is hoping to push forward with its Renewal 2027 plan.
Students like Breanna Behrens say they’re ready after the summer break. On Tuesday, Behrens was showing her brother around the campus before she starts her junior year at East Rowan High School.
“Online school was hectic, you didn’t really have teachers help,” Behrens said. “You would have to do assignments by yourself and I’m the type of person who needs a teacher right there with me. As far as going to school masks was a big issue, everybody didn’t keep their masks up.”
Behrens said “Hi” to teachers as she showed her brother where he’ll go, while another teacher, Rachel Moysan, prepared her classroom to welcome students. From the sea of neon tennis balls on the ends of chair legs to a world map she handpainted with her students -- she says each detail is crucial to success.
“I think when students feel comfortable in the classroom, they might be more open to relationships and open to learning,” Moysan said.
Even if it means digging into her own pockets to outfit the classroom, she says she’s committed to making this a great year.
“I’m a teacher because I love students and I know that being a teenager is hard, and last year was such a reminder of that,” Moysan said.
WATCH BELOW: District admins step in to help teach students as COVID-19 continues to impact staffing)
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