The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for both teachers and students, especially the new ones.

Mary Quinn DeRossette will take on her first classroom as a teacher this fall at Bowmar Elementary as a new sixth grade English language arts and social studies teacher, and she is full of excitement and a few nerves.

“I’m really excited and nervous like all new teachers are,” she said.

DeRossette, a Vicksburg native, just turned 25 and graduated with a degree in general studies from Alcorn State University. She said she didn’t take the traditional route to education but she has found her way.

Her mother inspired her desire to become an educator because of her years of service in schools all across Vicksburg.

“Throughout the years, I saw the work that she’s done in Vicksburg, and that really was the point in my life where I changed and decided I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. Currently DeRossette’s mother is the director of innovation for the Vicksburg Warren School District.

This summer after DeRossette graduated from ASU, she began a master’s degree program in teaching at Belhaven University. She said it would take about two years to complete the degree, but she isn’t too concerned about taking on her new career while continuing to be a student.

“I’ve been a student for 22 years,” she said. “I’ve always worked so I’m use to long days and busyness. I do better when I’m busy so I’m excited about it.”

DeRossette use to be a baby sitter and has always liked children so she knew she wanted to teach in an elementary school. When the Bowmar position became available, she jumped at the opportunity and was offered the job.

“I like that age. I think it’s a fun age. You still can do a lot of fun stuff with them,” she said. “And I knew I wanted a job in Vicksburg, and so this job just opened up and I applied and got it and couldn’t be happier about it.”

Bowmar will utilize a superhero theme this year to go along with the Leader in Me program, and DeRossette ran with the idea.

“With my classroom its all about superheroes and how you can be a modern superhero today in the school,” she said. “We’re doing lots of novel studies so we’ll tie those novels into the superheroes of today.” DeRossette said her team teacher and the lead teacher have been very encouraging and willing to answer her questions.  “I just want to make sure that these students know what they need to know and are good citizens and good leaders who can go out into the community and represent our city well,” she said.