HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Newly Hired Teachers Commissioned as "Builders of Christ's Church"

Seventy-four new teachers were officially welcomed to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board at a New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) orientation session on October 6, 2025, following a mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where they were commissioned to "go and teach as Jesus did."

The group was a mix of new teachers hired this September, and others hired over the summer.

Facilitator Flora Nordoff began the gathering with a heartfelt blessing, invoking the Holy Spirit to strengthen those embarking on their journey in Catholic education.

"Bless them with wisdom, patience and joy. As they guide their students, may they see each child as created in Your image, and may their teaching be rooted in love, justice and faith through Christ."

Bringing words of welcome on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairperson of the Board John Valvasori congratulated the new teachers on being chosen to serve as a Catholic teacher with the HWCDSB, a system known for its rich history of faith formation, and academic and co-curricular excellence.

Running some quick numbers, Valvasori estimated that close to 150,000 students would be impacted over the cumulative course of their teaching careers.

"In the process, your successful teaching of Catholic knowledge, prayer, service to others and positive relationships will have a huge effect on our Catholic church and our Catholic community."

In respect to the curriculum, he added "you will have an enormous impact on our society," as students branch into different career sectors following graduation.

"I have confidence that you can, and will, surpass all of my personal expectations."

Building off Chairperson Valvasori's statistics, Director of Education David Hansen shared that "100% of parents expect that you are going to give their children the very best of Catholic education and ultimately get them across the finish line of education and off to lead successful and productive lives."

"Never underestimate the awesomeness of your responsibilities, nor the beauty of this gift you've been given. As you answer this vocational call to be a Catholic teacher, you are not simply a grade six teacher or a physics teacher or a physical education teacher, you are a builder of Christ's church here on Earth."

"I look forward to meeting each of you in your classrooms in the coming months and years and sharing in your accomplishments and the accomplishments of your students."

The message was reinforced at a commissioning ceremony where the new teachers were presented with a book and a candle as reminders of the Catholic teaching vocation: "to be so imbued with faith, hope and love, to be so close to the heart and mind of Christ, that we truly make Christ present to all around us."

NTIP is a four-part program for new teachers that begins with an opening orientation, later opportunities for ongoing professional development and mentoring throughout the year, and concludes with a teacher performance appraisal.