To get your staff members mixing and talking, plan an activity that encourages teachers to talk to new people. Pair a returning teacher with a new teacher and have them get together for 10 minutes. During that time, each pair must answer a list of questions that you have prepared in advance. Choose questions that will inspire conversation and get people laughing by including questions like, "What is the funniest thing a student ever said to you?" After 10 minutes, they can switch partners or present something funny or interesting about their partners. These facts will give teachers conversation starters in the days to come.
Turn a meet-and-greet event into something productive by asking all of your teachers to come prepared with their goals for the semester. When teachers arrive with something prepared, they will feel less nervous about the event; this is particularly true for new teachers. During the meeting, have all teachers share their goals with the group. Other teachers can give feedback, especially if they have had experience with a certain subject.
If you want to get your teachers together before school starts, plan a meet-and-greet dinner a few days early. If you have the budget, have the meal catered; if not, each person can bring in a dish to pass. The event will give the teachers the chance to mingle before students are present. Hold it off campus, perhaps at a beach or a park, to remove the stress of the impending school year.
Help your teachers get to know each other as people by planning a meet-and-greet that focuses on their individual passions. As teachers enter the event, have them write something they are passionate about (and are comfortable sharing with the group) on the palms of their hands; then have each person take a photo of his palm and put it up on the board. During the event, teachers can check out the board and find the people that match the passions they are interested in or curious about.