Superintendent Carvalho Suprises New Teachers

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - While public school students still have a week to enjoy their summer vacation, their teachers are already back at work and some new ones are getting the lay of the land.

On Thursday, 300 new Miami-Dade County teachers got a welcome surprise during their orientation at Miami Jackson Senior High School.

"These are fantastic teachers, inspired new teachers who have joined probably the most important profession in America," said Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho who dropped in at the school to give some words of encouragement before the start of the new year.

A South Florida native, Eduardo Alvarado is heading to North Dade Middle School in his first year as a teacher.

"I grew up in the Miami-Dade school system. Coming back here and coming back to my home, it's like a homecoming reunion. Teaching kids is an honor and a privilege especially because you'll be influential, especially at a middle school age," said Alvarado.

Marissa Tobin will be teaching at Holmes Elementary in Liberty City.

"Oh I'm thrilled. I've been looking into this district since October and this specific school for a long time, so I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to teach," said Tobin.

Alvarado, Tobin and the thousands of teachers in Miami-Dade public schools will be getting some new gear this year as well. More than $27 million has been pumped in to schools to upgrade technology for students and staff.

"They're coming in to a new school year where we have launched 53 new choice magnet programs," said Carvalho.

Apart from hearing about this year's new programs, these 300 new teachers left with an important message from the Superintendent today.

"As teachers we have the opportunity to enlighten, to guide and really be that impactful factor in their lives so that they can continue to strive for more," said Alvarado.

This Sunday on CBS4's "Facing South Florida," Superintendent Carvalho and Broward County's Superintendent Robert Runcie will give parents and students a preview of the new school year. The show airs at 8:30 a.m.