MOUNT VERNON — Many of the new teachers who will welcome students into classrooms across Knox County in less than two weeks gathered for the 2010 New Educators’ Breakfast Thursday morning hosted by the Mount Vernon-Knox County Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of teachers, including some recent graduates, some new to the area, and some with decades of experience under their belts, were treated to breakfast and encouraging words provided by several area administrators, and featured speaker and fellow teacher, Wesley Elifritz.

Fredericktown Schools Superintendent James Peterson congratulated the new teachers on “joining the greatest profession in the world,” which he himself became a part of over 36 years ago.

Knox County Career Center Superintendent Bernie Pachmayer shared her own memory of being new to the area with the crowd.

“Last year I sat in your seats being new, and this year I know about 70 percent of the faces and that’s wonderful,” Pachmayer said. “You have chosen a wonderful county.”

melissa.raines@mountvernonnews.com