BY RACHEL TOOLE

There are many great activities embedded in the Pro Team curriculum. Some are all-time favorites. The students at Laurens Middle School shared some of their favorites with me during my visit. 
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The Pro Team curriculum offers students a different perspective on the teaching profession by allowing them the opportunity to “become the teacher”.  While visiting a class in Laurens, students from Lisa Crisp’s class were showcasing their lessons. One student chose to teach the basics of the piano by explaining the difference in the keys and the function of the pedals. Another student taught her classmates how to make earrings. Future teachers, perhaps!

BY ANITA HUNTER
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​RE Davis College Preparatory Academy is grateful to have the opportunity to host a traveling exhibit on the legacy of Anne Frank. The exhibit has been made possible by the University of South Carolina College of Education, with grant support from the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust. 

This week (May 6-10), the Pro Team will lead each class in the school from grades 3-8 through a discussion and reflection on the events surrounding Anne Frank's life and the Holocaust. 

The Sumter community is invited to come visit the exhibit for free. Please contact the school at 803-495-3247 to schedule a time.

BY PATTY HANSEN

Alice Drive Middle School ProTeam students have been busy. The students are active mentoring at Alice Drive Elementary School, enjoying visits from CERRA's Mr. Theodore Jackson, and creating/working on becoming Sumter's Future Teachers.

BY  KAREN PACK
Karen@cerra.org

During a recent visit to Lisa Crisp's ProTeam class at Laurens Middle School, we completed a jigsaw puzzle activity that revealed characteristics of teamwork. The students identified communication, cooperation, and participation as essential for reaching a common goal. Following this activity, they reflected on their favorite ProTeam activities and what "aha" moments they experienced when learning something new or unexpected about themselves. Below you'll find a sampling of their reflections:

Bryan...Something I wasn't expecting to learn about myself is that I would actually think about being a teacher.

Randall...During the I Am Bugged By... activity I got a chance to express myself and I was shocked when I realized what actually bugs me. I never took time to think about this before.

Shy'Teria...I learned a lot about myself with the Self-discovery Sub, and also learned that my "True Colors" are really what I am like.

Madison...My favorite activity was Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, where we all wrote nice comments about each other. I was surprised to find out I learn from my heart when we did the Learning Style Inventory.

Bryan...I learned what my last name means when we did the What's In a Name? activity.

Mallory...My favorite activity was Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, because it made me feel good. Also, I was surprised to learn about my talents in the Self-discovery Sub activity.

Taylor...My favorite activity was the Self-discovery Sub activity. 

Olivia...My favorite activity was the I Am drawing, and I was surprised to learn that I learn best by using my head during the Learning Style Inventory. 

Heidi...I was surprised to learn something about myself...people say I'm understanding and sweet!

Viviana...I was really surprised with what my classmates wrote about me during the Mirror, Mirror on the Wall activity. For example, someone said that I am confident and very outgoing.

Isaiah...I was not expecting to solve a puzzle today. My favorite thing to do is play games.

Shy'Tearial...My favorite activity was Movie Marquee. 

​ProTeam instructor, Alix Corley, and her students found ways to help raise donations to help those in need for Christmas! A lot of planning and preparation went into these projects, but their hard work paid off. 

"Pay to Play" will raise funds for the Anderson CO HYCO foundation. Just pay $1 to play!  

The "Concession Stand" of baked goods will help the Lot Project raise funds for the homeless. ProTeamers recruited the volunteers to help bake goods and run the stand!

ProTeamers collected and organized items to be donated to Miracle Hill. Items such as clothes, earbuds/headphones, deodorant, travel size toiletries, (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion) ziplock bags (all sizes), any kind of disposable plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, and toys will be donated to the Miracle Hill foster care program!

Their service doesn't stop there!  ProTeamers also collect and donate old towels for the Greenville humane society, make Christmas cards for teachers and staff at Belton Middle, make Christmas cards for residents at the retirement home(s) in Belton. 

With the support of administration at Palmetto Middle School in Anderson District 1, 1st year ProTeam instructor, Everett Crocker, envisioned, planned, and implemented a program that helps identify and target 6th grade students as future ProTeamers!  

Everett says, "The Go Show is essentially a glimpse into our entire brand of The Go Program, which culminates with ProTeam in the 8th grade. Our ProTeam students help plan and execute the show.  They do this by having a working lunch on Fridays.  The idea behind the show is two-fold. First, we want to break down as many walls as possible that separate parents and community members from our class by showing them how amazing our students are and the cool things they are doing.  Secondly, we use this as a recruiting tool to gain interest from prospective ProTeam students. ProTeam students are the rock stars of the school!  They are the faces of our student body, and we work every single day to make sure that they are using this influence in a positive way!"  

The Go Show allows ProTeam students to improve their communication and leadership!  Everett adds, "There are elementary students who already know what ProTeam is because of our weekly Go Show."  Starting with the Go Program in 6th grade, ProTeam is the ultimate class goal for many of these students.  

BY  KAREN PACK
karen@cerra.org

​CERRA would like to welcome the newest crop of ProTeam instructors to Region 2 (Savannah River Region). We are thrilled to have you on board and look forward to a wonderful year.

Jordan Henry, Carver-Edisto Middle School
Dane Harris, A.L. Corbett Middle School
Heather Peters, Guinyard-Butler Middle School
Tanya Anderson, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Middle School
Kimberly Barnes, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School
Lisa Crisp, Laurens Middle School
Cherith Stoner, McCormick Middle School
Heather Logan, Paul Knox Middle School
Zachary Dobbs, Merriwether Middle School
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