Chamber hosts new Dayton teachers
Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce scholarship recipients Brady Vauter (center left), Cassidy Headrick and Jimmy Rivera receive their checks. Chamber Chair Sherri Schmidt (left) and board secretary Stacey Brown, show support.
Teachers Taylor Gatlin (left), Kassidy Duncan and Lynda Dutt prepare for the upcoming school year at Dayton with some supplies provided by Gulf Inland Logistics Park.
DAYTON— Ahead of the new school year, the Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce provided an opportunity for Dayton’s superintendent to welcome new teachers while local businesses handed out school supplies.
With Chambers Health as the title sponsor, the Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual New Teachers Luncheon on Tuesday, July 29, to welcome new teachers to Dayton Independent School District.
DISD Superintendent Travis Young, Ed.D., welcomed the teachers to the district, saying he is primarily focused on advancing the district and the community and collaborating with the school board.
“I’m grounded in my faith and my values passed down to me,” Young said. “It’s an honor to lead as a Dayton ISD superintendent, and I’m committed to work to build a stronger future for our students.”
Young first gave a bit of background on himself, discussing his history with the district, and then moved to describe the board’s commitment to prioritizing the district’s best interest.
Young laid out the district’s strategic plan, noting the main focus is enhancing student achievement, fostering growth and improving test scores.
Young said core values emphasize perseverance, respect, innovation, determination and excellence.
Young highlighted recent accomplishments of the district, noting students placing in state and national competitions in sports, academics and FFA.
The district is working with Lamar University for dual credit opportunities at the high school, giving the opportunity to complete associate’s degrees by graduation, and Young said the district is working to ensure students are reading at grade level.
Additionally, Young said establishing an education foundation is a top priority, saying more details will come soon.
Young said DISD is placing a greater emphasis on childhood education.
“Our aim is to support the illicit development of each student, ensuring that they thrive academically and socially,” Young said.
During the luncheon, the chamber awarded scholarships to three Dayton seniors.
Brady Vauter plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to study aviation and meteorology while working towards a commercial pilot’s license.
Cassidy Headrick plans to pursue a career in genetic research, and she already started a rabbit breeding program, which is what inspired the career choice.
Jimmy Rivera plans to major in business management and has given much of his time to Business Professionals of America while in school.