Courtney Strobino remembers how influential her first-grade teacher was in her life. That’s why Strobino, 24, can’t wait to get started in her new job as a second-grade teacher at Dr. Crisp Elementary School.

“My biggest challenge will be challenging the children,” said Strobino, one of 55 educators taking part in the school district’s annual new teacher orientation this week.

Strobino has taught preschool but is new to Nashua. The Plymouth State University graduate has been preparing for her first day next Tuesday by decorating her classroom with vibrant colors she hopes will create a welcoming atmosphere.

“I’m excited, but I still have a list of things I need to do,” she said.

Strobino grew up in Connecticut, but wanted to come back to New Hampshire to start her teaching career.

The orientation for teachers new to the district began Wednesday morning at Nashua High School North with an introduction from Superintendent Mark Conrad. Conrad, who is entering his second year as superintendent, said it was critical for teachers to believe they can make a difference and that all children, regardless of their backgrounds, can achieve at a high level.

Conrad said the second point is especially important in a district as diverse as Nashua.

“If you can come away with those beliefs then you have the basis for becoming an effective teacher,” Conrad said.

Conrad talked about the role that his fifth-grade teacher played in shaping his life. Up until that point, he said, he had been a struggling student, but the teacher recognized his abilities and gave him confidence. Conrad said the teacher also saw his leadership potential, making him a lieutenant in the school’s safety patrol.

“That was so important to me,” he said.

The three-day orientation is for all teachers who are new to the district, not just first-year teachers.

Mary Ann Avery, 48, worked at RSEC Academy in Amherst, a private special education high school, before coming this year to work at Pennichuck Middle School. Avery was hired as a reading interventionist to work with sixth- and seventh-grade students, meaning she will be working with students who have struggled with reading.

“Empathy, flexibility and understanding are the keys,” Avery said.

Sandy Moore, 35, worked as a teacher in Massachusetts several years ago and is returning to the classroom this year after working an educational consultant. Moore will be working at Sunset Heights Elementary School in the Shine Program, the intensive-needs program for autistic students.

“I love working with students on the spectrum,” said Moore, who worked as a consultant for Nashua last year before taking the new position.

The group also heard from Nashua Teachers Union President Robert Sherman, who cautioned the teachers to make sure they are careful about what they do on their district computers. There have been individuals who have had to resign in the past due to inappropriate content being found, Sherman said.

“Anything you put on those computers can be tracked and could come back to haunt you,” he said.

Sherman said the same approach should be used on social networking sites and personal computers.

After a few speakers, peer coaches Diane Vienneau and Paula Papanicolaou worked with the teachers on team-building exercises, having groups brainstorm how they would approach different scenarios in the classroom. One of the scenarios the new teachers were given was what do if half of the students showed up to class one day without having done their homework. After discussing it for a few minutes, Strobino said it’s important to know why the students didn’t do the homework before moving forward.

“Students have different environments at home,” Strobino said, speaking for her table. “It’s our job to find out why they did not do the homework. Really get to the bottom of it and support them.”

Vienneau and Papanicolaou work to support teachers in their first few years. That kind of peer support is critical, given that half of all teachers quit within their first five years, according to the National Education Association.

As part of another exercise, teachers were asked to write down why they went into education. Strobino wrote: “to make a difference.”

On Wednesday, teachers also had to go to a human resources and business services presentation, then later in the day talked about curriculum. Today, the teachers are scheduled to learn about professional development and technology. On Friday, they will go to their schools to meet with their principals and prepare for the first day.

The teachers didn’t leave Wednesday without a little homework. Vienneau said teachers were going to be assigned to read a chapter from the book, “Never Work Harder Than Your Students & Other Principles of Great Teaching,” by Robyn R. Jackson.

The Learning Curve appears Thursdays in The Telegraph. Michael Brindley can be reached at 594-6426 or mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com.