When the school bell rang for the first time last week, six new educators experienced their first day of class at Summerland Public Schools.

Kara Ahlers will teach fifth grade. She graduated college in December 2018, with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She has an endorsement in reading and writing.

"When I worked as a para years ago, the teachers who I worked with were amazing at encouraging and reassuring me I could be someone who could make a difference in the lives of our students. I have loved seeing how much I can help students grow and learn," she said.

Ahlers looks forward...