The educators and students at Millennium Charter Academy (MCA) like to think of themselves as one big family, and that philosophy was evident Tuesday when the school officially welcomed three new teachers.

Given that starting a new job can be difficult, MCA was continuing an annual orientation program aimed at making the transition as smooth as possible for the newcomers when students arrive on Aug. 24.

“They’ve been hired and interviewed and all that,” Lu Ann Browne, the school’s director of development, said in explaining the program’s purpose. “But this is like, ‘Hello, welcome to our school.’”

MCA rolled out the mat Tuesday for incoming faculty members who include Ronalda Parris, Jessica Simmons and Peter Schild. Parris will teach fourth-grade, while Simmons will instruct fifth-grade language arts, and Schild’s teaching responsibilities include sixth- and seventh-grade English along with elective courses.

The trio assembled at 8 a.m. Tuesday for a day-long program that included information about the history of Millennium Charter Academy, which was founded in 2000, and the mission of charter schools. That generally is to offer innovative approaches and programs not provided in the public educational realm.

Parris, Simmons and Schild also learned about MCA’s academic programs and facilities, along with such “housekeeping” matters as what to wear to work, emergency procedures for fire and tornado drills, use of school equipment and preparation of report cards.

“And then we bring in some new teachers from the previous year, who were new kids on the block (then),” Browne said of another part of the orientation process. Those faculty members — Maria Kern, Michele Wertman and Louise Wardle — gave a presentation Tuesday afternoon entitled “So what was it like that first year?”

The three new teachers joining the fold for the 2010-11 school term at Millennium Charter Academy said the orientation process was beneficial for them.

“All this today pulls all the pieces together,” Schild said of the various facets covered during Tuesday’s activities, which involved input by other teachers at MCA as well as administrators.

“As a teacher, I really appreciate it — especially as a first-year teacher,” added Schild, who hails from New York and recently received a master’s degree to complete his studies at Davidson College and Wake Forest University.

Simmons, despite just being hired by MCA on Monday, said she already was familiar with the school due to having a daughter in kindergarten there. “I’m just so excited to be here,” added Simmons, a native of Stokes County who graduated from Lees-McRae College.

Not only is she happy to be working in what is considered an exemplary educational setting, Simmons was elated to find a job in the teaching field, which is now a difficult market. She pointed out that many of her fellow Lees-McRae graduates are still looking for work.

“It’s very tough,” Simmons added.

Parris, who migrated to Millennium Charter Academy from a totally unrelated field — the trucking industry — said she also appreciates the opportunity to be involved with the ultra-modern charter school, where small class sizes and a team concept are emphasized.

“Well, I want to use one word, and it’s blessed,” said the Surry County native and former employee of Cooke Trucking in Mount Airy, who also is a Lees-McRae graduate. Parris considers MCA a special place, one with a stimulating educational atmosphere that seems to appeal to both students and faculty members.

“Once I visited, I wanted to come back,” she added, describing the school’s setting as “addictive.”

“We’re very focused on individuals,” explained Kirby McCrary, MCA’s headmaster.

Parris, Simmons and Schild were added to the faculty after one teacher moved to Pennsylvania to care for an ill parent, while another resigned to pursue other opportunities. The third vacancy arose when a veteran teacher shifted to a new educational technology position the school was able to create this year because of its growing enrollment and other factors.

Millennium Charter Academy now has nearly 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Browne, the MCA director of development, said one key to the Mount Airy charter school’s success is a staff that reflects a high quality of enthusiasm and dedication to helping children reach their potential, which the new faculty members exhibit.

“Our teachers are here on a yearly contract,” Browne said. “The people that come here are here because they want to teach.”

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.