NATCHEZ — While classes in the Natchez-Adams School District don’t start until next week, teachers were getting ready for the new school year early Friday morning.

That’s when the district hosted its convocation for its faculty and staff.

Superintendent Anthony Morris said the event is a way to motivate and prepare teachers for the year ahead.

“It’s our opening kickoff,” he said. “This our way to get ready for the coming year.”

Principal of Robert Lewis Middle School Sekufele Lewanika said he took a positive message of hope for the future from Friday’s event.

“We’re all in this together,” he said of educating the district’s young people. “And everyone has a key role in that.”

Lewanika and others at the event said they also left on a positive note after hearing from motivational speaker Alfred “Coach” Powell.

Stephanie Bourke, a kindergarten teacher at West Primary School, said she thought Powell’s address was uplifting and provided a good start for the year.

But for Bourke there was one aspect of the event even better than Powell’s speech.

“I love getting to see everyone again,” she said. “This is the best way to comeback.”

And it won’t be long until the students are back.

They’re due in class Aug. 7.