Maryville City Schools welcomes 23 new teachers for 2026-27

Maryville City Schools welcomes 23 new teachers for 26-27

The Daily Times

July 24, 2026

By: Mathaus Schwarzen

Maryville City Schools welcomed 23 new teachers for the 2026-27 school year Friday, July 24, with its annual new teacher breakfast at Skyview at Broadway Social.

Attendees included school staff alongside city administrators and elected officials.

Speakers at the event introduced each of the 23 new teachers by name, along with a brief recap of the new hires’ backgrounds.

Julie Elder, chair of the Maryville School Board, urged the new teachers to listen to the input of their students. Good teachers, she said, make learning fun but are also prepared to give students all the information they’ll need to succeed.

“If you want to be an amazing teacher, you have to strongly lead your class in everything you do. You have to care for your students kindly. You should make your class enjoyable and fun,” she said. “We already know you’re amazing. That’s why you’re here.”

Keynote speaker Wes Murphy described the school system’s pursuit of excellence as an “earned pressure.” Working in a district with high expectations, he said, challenges teachers to give their best every day.

Murphy, who works as a counselor for the school system, said he enjoys that challenge to excellence.

“I feel like we give extra,” he said. “What makes us Maryville is that we have to give a little bit extra to make it work.”

Assistant Director of Schools Josh Oliver urged the new teachers to plug into the Maryville community. He encouraged those with children to enroll them in Maryville City Schools if possible, calling it one of the best ways to experience the school system’s culture firsthand.

Oliver compared the district to a large, healthy tree with deep roots built by veteran educators.

Every healthy tree, he said, needs growth.

“We need new ideas. We need new perspectives. We need you to come in and ask questions,” he said. “Yes, we do expect the best in a lot of ways. We have high expectations, but we chose you for a reason. You’re here to make our system better.”

Director of Schools Mike Winstead echoed that message, encouraging the new teachers to bring fresh ideas into their classrooms rather than simply fitting into existing routines.

He told them to think outside the box.

“We don’t want you to just come in and be quiet,” Winstead said. “We want you to come in and bring it. Bring fresh ideas, new ideas. Innovate. Take risks.”

Winstead said the district’s role is to support teachers so they can focus on students, emphasizing strong relationships, collaboration and the belief that every child can succeed.

“We know that collectively and individually you’re going to have a great impact on our school system and on our kids,” he said.