Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza welcomed nearly 500 new and returning teachers, administrators and staff members to the 2012-13 school year at an all-staff gathering in the high school auditorium.

"It's the 'Year of the Teacher' and that is where our work will be focused in order to help kids be successful," she said, referring to research that points to the powerful influence of teachers on their students.

The morning presentation provided an opportunity to understand the new school leader's clear focus on students and learn a little about her and how she operates. LeBlanc-Esparza encouraged staff to stay true to the core values of the organization, work hard, dream, innovate and push yourself, ask questions, be collaborative, balance home and work, be honest and be extraordinary.

The school district is welcoming fifty new staff members throughout district school, including LeBlanc-Esparza herself.

Click below to meet our new staff members. The video highlights accomplishments of district schools, gives an overview of the district and community and a glimpse of the world ahead in which today's students must succeed.