The hallways are still devoid of kids.

Janitors clean empty lockers. Library computer stations await study hall students. Whiteboards are still being raised in classrooms.

And although kids won't return to school until Aug. 17, Monday was filled with jittery new learners walking into unfamiliar classrooms.

On Monday, the teachers were the students. Monday marked the first official day back to school for staff and administrators in Natrona County School District.

With 25 new teachers and two new administrators, Natrona County High Principal Dean Kelly thought a staff meeting was in order, mostly to welcome the newer folks.

"Most of the time so far has been getting to know each other with that many new faces," Kelly said.

Meeting school-wide goals was a focus of Kelly Walsh Principal Brad Diller's staff meeting first thing Monday morning.

"We kind of talked about where we were last year, and we're very excited because we made AYP [annual yearly progress, a statewide standardized measure of school success]," Diller said. "At our school, it's a 'we' thing. It's not a single person who makes it happen, it's everybody."

The rest of the week at both schools will be spent on training, focusing on strategies and a new grading system. Training for the new Infinite Campus grading and attendance software has gone "really well" so far, Diller said.

First-year NC teacher Tony Elmore said he was hired to get kids excited about 3D art and graphic design.

"We're trying to integrate all kinds of computer graphics," he said. "We're just trying to get kids educated and engaged in art and technology."

Although Elmore was trained as an animator, rather than a teacher, he's excited about the challenges his inexperience will pose this year.

"I kinda walked into this a little blind. I just have my art degree right now, but I'm pretty sure that will be enough," he said. "It's kinda random. I always thought about being a teacher later in life, but this was my pathway now."

Second-year KW teacher Rose DeNinno, who teaches social studies, is nervous to begin teaching advanced placement classes for the first time.

"Right now, I'm a little nervous because I probably didn't do as much over the summer as I should have," she said.

Veteran KW teacher Beth Williams, now in her 13th year teaching math, also uses the week for preparation, she said.

While years of teaching have somewhat erased nerves, "I have a lot to get done," Williams said.

Both KW teachers are glad to have a week to focus on the upcoming school year before students return to classrooms.

"I think it's a nice transition," DeNinno said. "It gets us geared up, gets us organized. It helps get your mind focused back into the year and off of summer vacation."

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com.

Back to School

By Adam Amick

Star-Tribune videographer