What does it take to become part of Liberty Magnet’s dynamic faculty?
What does it take to become part of Liberty Magnet’s dynamic faculty? For these new teachers and administrators, it’s a mix of passion, purpose, and fresh beginnings. Whether they’re coming from other schools, other cities, or even other work industries, each one brings a unique background and bold ideas to the Liberty community.
Liberty Magnet is known for our academic excellence, focus on STEM, and innovative approach to learning. But behind every successful school are the educators who help shape it, and the first year at a new campus can be just as challenging as it is exciting. Across the country, teacher retention remains a growing concern. Studies show that up to 44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years. This is due to newer educators commonly facing difficulties like adjusting to new expectations, burnout, limited resources, and having to manage intense workloads. While Liberty offers a strong, collaborative environment, the first year at any school, especially one with such high standards for achievement, can still be overwhelming.
To get a closer insight into what it is really like to be new at Liberty, I interviewed a handful of teachers and staff who have joined LMHS faculty within the past one to two years. Their honest answers reveal what it takes to not only survive, but thrive in their new positions here.
When new teachers arrive, the culture shock can be real. Mrs. Ingy, a math teacher in her twelfth year of teaching, talked about how she was struck by how big and welcoming the campus felt. “I was drawn to Liberty because of its innovative programs,” she said. “My first impression was how welcoming and collaborative the environment is, from the students to the staff.”
But even with a warm welcome, starting fresh isn’t easy. Several teachers echoed the same challenge; balancing in-class teaching with the invisible workload outside of it is no cakewalk. Ms. Bonvillain, now teaching AP English after switching careers from bartending, said, “There’s a lot of work that teachers do behind the scenes that I didn’t necessarily know about until I started teaching. All of it is to help the students though, so it’s worth it in the end.”
Ms. Hullinghorst, a professional photographer turned art teacher, shared the same sentiment. “It goes much further than just giving lessons. You wear so many hats as an educator; you are now also a counselor, planner, organizer. It’s been both exciting and exhausting, but that’s with any career.”
Still, most new staff members say they’ve been surprised and relieved by how quickly Liberty’s community made them feel at home.
Liberty’s reputation for academic excellence and STEM innovation makes it a magnet—pun intended!—for driven educators. Ms. Fandal, a former magnet site coordinator at McKinley and science teacher at Mayfair Lab, came to Liberty specifically for the chance to support students at a higher level. “The students are motivated and proud of their school, and the staff works hard to provide opportunities that really prepare students for the future,” she said. “I wanted to be part of a place that was preparing students for real careers and giving them meaningful opportunities.”
Others saw Liberty as a place to help students grow creatively. Ms. Hullinghorst, who revived the school’s photography program, said, “I hope to bring a sense of excitement about photography to my classroom. There are so many different careers and possibilities in the field of photography and I want the students to get a sampling of as much as I can provide during the school year.” Across interviews, teachers mentioned Liberty’s culture of student leadership, academic rigor, and welcoming atmosphere as standout features.
For the teachers at Liberty, this is more than just a profession; they want to make a real difference.
“My biggest goal has always been to create a safe, welcoming, and overall fun environment for students in my classroom,” said Ms. Bonvillain. “I try my hardest to come up with diverse activities that keep students engaged and entertained.” Similarly, Mrs. Ingy said: “I hope to bring enthusiasm for learning, a supportive classroom environment, and a drive to help students build both confidence and critical thinking skills.”
And while many new staff face growing pains, most say the support they've received from colleagues and students alike has made all the difference.
“Even when things are hard, I’ve found people who are willing to stand behind me,” Ms. Hullinghorst said. “After working independently for years, it’s amazing to be part of a team.” The newest members of Liberty’s faculty are still learning, adjusting, and finding their rhythm. But already, they’re helping shape the culture that makes Liberty Magnet not just a high-performing school, but a real community.
Their stories are a reminder that behind every great school are teachers who took a leap, accepted a challenge, and said yes to something new to help shape the next generation. And in doing so, they’ve made Liberty just a little stronger, one classroom at a time.