The Renton Chamber of Commerce welcomed 72 new teachers into the district at a breakfast at Renton Technical College Thursday morning.

This was the event’s 22nd year and it was sponsored by Valley Medical Center, King & Bunny’s appliances and Wal-Mart.

The 72 teachers are not filling new positions, but positions opened because of retirement, moves to other district schools or attrition.

This new crop of new teachers includes educators who graduated from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and NED University in Pakistan and includes experiences teaching in Australia and Taipei.

Pam Teal, Renton School Board member, was the master of ceremonies as the chamber education chair. Others who gave welcome addresses to the new teachers included Rich Roodman, Valley Medical Center CEO, John Galluzzo, chamber board chairman, Mayor Denis Law, RTC President Steve Hanson, district Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel and Phyllis Silling, president of the Renton Education Association.

Mike Flood, vice president of community relations and special projects for the Seattle Seahawks, gave the keynote address.

All teachers at the breakfast received a welcome bag of goodies from local sponsors, including a hand-blown glass apple from Uptown Glassworks.