Teresa HENRY BURY Intelligencer There is a whole lot of learning going on in Teresa Hadley's primary classroom. And while she's instructing her Grade 1 students in the 3R's, Hadley is teaching herself, learning which of her new teaching skills works best with students. "I'm learning to put everything together to provide my students with the best year that I can," said the first-year-teacher at Prince Charles School. "I'm hoping they learn a lot this year and enjoy the learning experience and I hope that they carry the joy of learning throughout their lives." Right out of teachers' college, the 25- year-old Hadley said she couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2004-05 aca- demic year. "The children have adjusted well to the full day of classes. They are learning our classroom routines very well and all my classroom management strategies ... and I'm learning new7 teaching strategies at the same time." Hadley said she sometimes has to pinch herself to realize that she's actually an ele- mentary school teacher, considering that she started studying nutrition in universi- ty. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment," said the Gilbert Street resident. "But once I stepped intd the classroom, it just feels very natural as well." Hadley is one of approximately 90 new teachers hired this summer by the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. At Prince Charles, however, she is only one of twro new teachers. She can't say enough good things about her Ritchie Avenue school. "The staff is wonderful and the adminis- tration is excellent. Everyone here has been very welcoming and have been a tremen- dous help to me to get started." There are 19 "wonderful" children in hei \ classroom at the end of the primary corri- dor. \N "I've had an opportunity to meet a num- Ip&r of their parents as well and they all sefem very supportive of the team effort in the education of their children," said Hadley. It has been a long road to the Prince Charles classroom. Born in British Columbia, she was 12 when she moved to the Quinte area after the death of her father -- her mom, Bonnie (May) Marrone grew up in Trenton and wanted to be with family. After graduating from Bayside Secondary School, Hadley enrolled in the human nutrition program at the University i