Every year thousands of teachers prepare for the much-anticipated and sometimes-dreaded first day of class.

The first day of anything can be nerve wracking. But even more intimidating is starting the first day of school as a first-time teacher.

In Kings County alone there will be 23 new teachers this year who’ll be standing in front of their very own classroom for the first time.

As if the pressure of first-day jitters wasn’t enough, some teachers may be facing a tougher first year because of larger class sizes.

“We are trying to maintain classroom enrollment at the same level as prior years,” said Paul Terry, superintendent at the Hanford Elementary School District. “However, budget reductions could impact classroom size this year if we experience an increase in enrollment.”

At Hanford high schools, superintendent William Fishbough said classroom increase is a definite.

“Anytime you hold enrollment steady or grow and then have fewer teachers, there will be bigger classrooms. And anytime you have a bigger classroom it’s a challenge, but we’re confident that our teachers are up for that challenge.”

Fishbough said there are fewer teachers because of continual state budget cuts.

In the Hanford High School District there are eight fewer teachers for the 2009-10 school year than last year.

“The reason for this is a combination of retirements, some people who left the district and then some who were not [re-hired,]” Fishbough said. “There were also some who unfortunately were pink-slipped.”

Here are the stories of two new Kings County teachers right out of college who were hired and are forging through despite the difficult economy:

Kelly Osborn, fifth-grade, Washington Elementary

With textbooks in the desks and a welcome sign on the door, Room 304 is almost ready for the annual rush of new students.

Kelly Osborn, a recent graduate of Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, is the school’s only new first-year teacher. She says she can’t wait for her room to be filled with the laughter of students.

“I’ve been going to yard sales and getting them games, bean bags to read their books on and flash cards,” she said. “I can’t wait for the first day.”

Although Osborn is almost bursting with anticipation, teaching wasn’t something she always wanted to do.

Osborn graduated in 2006 with her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and planned to go into the medical field.

But after a seven-week backpacking trip in Europe following graduation and realizing that “less is more in life,” she decided teaching was the way to go.

After earning her credential, Osborn attended a job fair on the Cal Poly campus and landed her first interview with the Hanford Elementary School District.

A fifth-grade teacher was needed at the small elementary school in east Hanford, and Osborn seemed like the perfect candidate for the job.

Osborn, 25, got the job earlier this summer and hasn’t stopped smiling since, she said.

“It’s all just beginning — I finally have my own classroom,” she said. “I’m so excited to teach fifth grade. I think seeing even just one student have that ‘ah-ha’ moment will make it all worth it.”

Along with the excitement, Osborn said she still has a lot of worries.

“I think the biggest fear for first-time teachers in general is just the inexperience,” she said. “You don’t have ‘Last year I did this’ if something doesn’t work out or ‘I had a student that had this type of behavior problem and this is what I did last year.’ It’s all new, and you’re experiencing being alone in a classroom for the first time.”

Osborn said the inexperience is just the beginning of her challenges, and she wants to keep her focus solely on the kids.

“I want every student to grasp everything that I teach and be successful on the work they end up doing on their own,” she said. “I think the biggest challenge that I see myself facing is being able to reach every student, and being able to know what they need to do to actually help them understand.”

Until that first day, which for the district will be Thursday, Osborn said she is having fun getting things set up.

“This is a really fun part,” Osborn said of decorating her room. “I’m dreading the organizing I have to do, but this is awesome — it’s all coming together.”

Jared Castle, agriculture, Hanford High and Hanford West

As he started college and even long before that, Jared Castle knew exactly where he was headed.

Growing up on a cattle ranch in Porterville laid the foundation for his interest in agriculture and the FFA (Future Farmers of America).

From his freshman year of high school to his last semester in college, Castle said he knew he was meant to be an ag educator.

“I had some really supportive teachers that helped me out,” he said. “They were really the ones who got me on track to being successful.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo in 2008, Castle began his work toward getting a teaching credential.

Soon after getting his credential, Castle applied for a full-time position with the Hanford Joint Union High School District.

Castle, 24, got the job as an ag teacher on both the Hanford High and Hanford West campuses.

“I will be teaching earth science, animal science and ‘Intro to Agriculture,’ ” Castle said. “I will also be involved with FFA — one of my passions.”

Despite his love for his new profession, Castle admits that he is still nervous.

“I think every teacher is always afraid of actually having their own classroom for the first time; it’s going to be a little scary going into a classroom that is all mine.”

Overwhelming as the first day is, Castle said he has a plan to keep everything in order.

“It really helps to have a pacing calendar,” he said. “You really have to know what you’re teaching and when you are teaching it. As a first-year teacher this is especially hard because you don’t have any past experiences to fall back on.”

Castle said because the ag community is so tight knit, he has no fears when it comes to the unknown.

“My department is so supportive as far as what they have taught and the help they can give — they’re a pretty great source to dip into.”

Aside from keeping his classroom busy, Castle said another challenge he foresees is simply being young.

“If I work with upperclassmen at all, some of those students might only be five or so years behind me,” he said. “The first day I really have to set the tone that I am the teacher and hold them to the standards that I have.”

Castle said he thinks the rewards will far outweigh the problems.

“When you see a student or a group of students use something that you taught them in class, even though it may be the smallest thing, it becomes the biggest reward. Seeing a student put leadership skills to work and succeed will be one of the most exciting things about my job — because I know that feeling.”

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.