| Volume 1 | Issue 4 May 2017 By Suzanne Koty | We are pleased to bring you the fourth edition of the South Carolina Teacher Leadership newsletter. Our goal is to offer a collaborative resource that highlights both state and district level teacher leadership activities, outlines issues related to South Carolina education, and sparks ideas for the District Teacher Forums. |
2018 South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Erin Fox from Cherokee School District One was named the 2018 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Erin is an English teacher at Gaffney High School who uses her background in drama, dance, and music in order to create dynamic lessons for her students. She also coaches cross country. Erin shared that she hopes to be an advocate for teachers and students
- as we work to fight childhood and adolescent obesity and student apathy. She wrote, "Both are problems for South Carolina students, and I believe that by infusing our classrooms and schools with more kinesthetic/tactile lessons and activities and by re-energizing our teachers and administrators with movement and action, we can engage our students on the highest level." She believes that activating the body activates the brain and that when students are truly engaged in the classroom, attendance will increase and student apathy will decrease. Elevated student attendance and engagement will lead students to perform with greater academic, athletic, and artistic prowess! Erin will spend the next year representing South Carolina teachers and will serve a one-year teacher-in-residence with CERRA.
Charles H. Dickerson Community Service Award Recipient
Caroline Weathers from Dorchester School District Four was awarded the Charles H. Dickerson for Community Service Award. Caroline teachers 7th grade science. She was recognized for making significant contributions to her community. She will receive a monetary award of $500 and a second monetary award of $500 to donate to a charity of her choice. She was honored both at the Teacher of the Year banquet and the Bojangles breakfast the following day.
Caroline has chosen to send her donation to the Fresh Future Farms in North Charleston, a nonprofit inner-city farm learning center focused on increasing nutritional equity and providing economic opportunities for the community. This grassroots organization is led by Germaine Jenkins whose goal it is to develop better food systems for residents of South Carolina.
Caroline has chosen to send her donation to the Fresh Future Farms in North Charleston, a nonprofit inner-city farm learning center focused on increasing nutritional equity and providing economic opportunities for the community. This grassroots organization is led by Germaine Jenkins whose goal it is to develop better food systems for residents of South Carolina.
2017 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Event
All of the 2017 District Teachers of the Year gathered in Columbia on May 3rd to celebrate teachers in South Carolina. The teachers entered a reception to the sound of a trumpet announcing their arrival. There they were able to network with family, friends, educators, and policy makers. Each District Teacher of the Year was recognized on stage by Judi Gatson. The guests enjoyed a dinner with a keynote from a graduate of South Carolina Schools, Dr. Robert "Bobby" Satcher, Jr., who was the first orthopedic surgeon in space and participated in two spacewalks. Megan Nicholson, a singer/songwriter from Central High School performed an original song entitled "No More! No More!" for the audience. After 2017 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wise gave her parting words, State Superintendent Molly Spearman announced Erin Fox as the next State Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Spearman treated the teachers and their guests to milk and cookies after the banquet. The next day, Bojangles provided breakfast for the District Teachers of the Year before they embarked on a journey to the South Carolina State House to be take part in a press conference with Governor McMaster to declare May Teacher Appreciation Month. The teachers were also recognized in both the House and the Senate chambers.
All of the 2017 District Teachers of the Year gathered in Columbia on May 3rd to celebrate teachers in South Carolina. The teachers entered a reception to the sound of a trumpet announcing their arrival. There they were able to network with family, friends, educators, and policy makers. Each District Teacher of the Year was recognized on stage by Judi Gatson. The guests enjoyed a dinner with a keynote from a graduate of South Carolina Schools, Dr. Robert "Bobby" Satcher, Jr., who was the first orthopedic surgeon in space and participated in two spacewalks. Megan Nicholson, a singer/songwriter from Central High School performed an original song entitled "No More! No More!" for the audience. After 2017 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wise gave her parting words, State Superintendent Molly Spearman announced Erin Fox as the next State Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Spearman treated the teachers and their guests to milk and cookies after the banquet. The next day, Bojangles provided breakfast for the District Teachers of the Year before they embarked on a journey to the South Carolina State House to be take part in a press conference with Governor McMaster to declare May Teacher Appreciation Month. The teachers were also recognized in both the House and the Senate chambers.
Photo Credits: Todd Scholl
District Teacher Forums in Action
The Tri-County Teacher Forum which includes Edgefield, Saluda, and Lexington 3 school districts held its 1st annual Chat N Chew with legislators and Superintendent Spearman.
The Cherokee District 1 Teacher Forum held a round table discussion that included veteran District Teachers of the Year and 30 Teacher Cadets. They presented one cadet with their first annual scholarship.
The Sumter Teacher Forum held a professional development workshop for the newly named Campus Teachers of the Year and celebrated the 28 teachers at the annual Celebration of Excellence.
Micro-Credential Pilot
The 2017 District Teachers of the Year along with other Teacher Leaders in our state were given the opportunity to participate in a pilot of a Micro-Credential program. Participants were able to select two micro-credential competencies to submit to the Center for Teaching Quality later in the summer.
"[I]f you want to rise to towering heights in your life, you must make sure that you build your life on a sure, solid foundation. The foundations upon which you build your life determine how high you can rise. You must make sure to lay the proper foundation." --Manny Scott
Spotlight on the 2017 and 2018 South Carolina Teachers of the Year
Jennifer Wise was selected as a 2017-2018 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. Twelve STEM educators were selected to serve the 11-month fellowship in Washington, DC, within the offices of three sponsoring agencies and five Congressional Offices. We congratulate Jennifer on this accomplishment and wish her well on this next step in her journey.
We recently asked South Carolina's 2018 Teacher of the Year Erin Fox about teachers who had influenced her. Her parents were both teachers, and they taught her that education is paramount to an individual's success. They pushed her to never settle for mediocrity. Her 10th grade English teacher, Mrs. Sharon Elliott, helped her realize that her voice deserved to be heard. Mrs. BettySue Cowan introduced her to the world of musical theatre. Ms. Joanne Davis was her voice of reason; she showed her that anything was possible. Erin understands that teachers have the opportunity to show students the potential they possess. She believes that teachers should bring energy and joy to the classroom because positivity and happiness are contagious.
2017 District Teacher of the Year receives scholarship
Jodie Peele Branham, the 2017 Latta School District Teacher of the Year received the Kevin Grover Distinguished Teacher Leader Award which provided her a $5,000 scholarship towards a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership degree from Mount Holyoke College. She just found out that she was accepted into the program and looks forward to learning more about developing as a teacher leader. The scholarship was founded in memory of the 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year to honor his dedication to his students, profession, and public education. He believed that teaching is the "best job in the world." Congratulations to Jodie who will work towards building an improved education system for every child.
Education News
National Education News
The American Institutes for Research in collaboration with several other organizations recently published the 2017 Good to Great Report. CERRA's own Jenna Hallman participated in one of the working groups. The findings from the teacher-driven research study support the work that CERRA is doing in mentoring, National Board Certification, and teacher leadership.
South Carolina Education News
South Carolina is launching a high school aerospace curriculum in the fall of the 2017-18 school year. Six high schools across the state will offer the aerospace engineering classes.
Three high school students were named as U.S. Presidential Scholars. Congratulations are extended to Jessica Marlow (Dorman High School), Jonathan Michala (Eastside High School), and Karen Zhao (Riverside High School).
The legislators have ratified a bill to provide a state recognized graduation credential for students with disabilities. Beginning in the coming year, ninth graders will be the first group eligible to earn a state recognized employment credential. This project was spearheaded by participants in the South Carolina Education Policy Fellows program, Traci Hogan and Chuck Saylors.
CERRA has piloted two National Board cohorts this year, one in Greenville and one in Dorchester 2. The cohorts focused on Components One and Three of the National Board Certification process, but several members completed all four components this year. Next year these districts will provide cohort support for Components Two and Four. Any districts interested in learning more will soon have access on our website.
The American Institutes for Research in collaboration with several other organizations recently published the 2017 Good to Great Report. CERRA's own Jenna Hallman participated in one of the working groups. The findings from the teacher-driven research study support the work that CERRA is doing in mentoring, National Board Certification, and teacher leadership.
South Carolina Education News
South Carolina is launching a high school aerospace curriculum in the fall of the 2017-18 school year. Six high schools across the state will offer the aerospace engineering classes.
Three high school students were named as U.S. Presidential Scholars. Congratulations are extended to Jessica Marlow (Dorman High School), Jonathan Michala (Eastside High School), and Karen Zhao (Riverside High School).
The legislators have ratified a bill to provide a state recognized graduation credential for students with disabilities. Beginning in the coming year, ninth graders will be the first group eligible to earn a state recognized employment credential. This project was spearheaded by participants in the South Carolina Education Policy Fellows program, Traci Hogan and Chuck Saylors.
CERRA has piloted two National Board cohorts this year, one in Greenville and one in Dorchester 2. The cohorts focused on Components One and Three of the National Board Certification process, but several members completed all four components this year. Next year these districts will provide cohort support for Components Two and Four. Any districts interested in learning more will soon have access on our website.
National Board Certification
Registration is now open for teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification.
Renewal candidates can begin registering as early as September 1st. See the dates below.
Registration is now open for teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification.
Renewal candidates can begin registering as early as September 1st. See the dates below.
"Things like worthy goals, sense of belonging, commitment to quality and feeling supported are the essential glue that binds a group to both the work and each other. Organization communication, and flexibility act as the oil that reduces friction and keeps things running smoothly." -- Margaret Searle & Marilyn Swartz
Upcoming Mentor Training Dates
Upcoming Mentor Trainer Certification Dates
Upcoming National Board Support Sessions
The Campus Directors at each of the Teaching Fellows Institutions across the state are always looking for speakers/presenters. As teacher leaders you are the perfect people to serve in this capacity. By completing the form available here, you are giving CERRA permission to share your name and contact information with the Campus Directors. The Campus Directors will contact you directly if they wish to invite you to their school. The Campus Director will also be responsible for providing all the information about the meetings, available technology etc. The form will provide you with an opportunity to identify your potential presentation and/or discussion topics as well as the institutions you are willing to travel to. Thanks you for your willingness to support the Teaching Fellows Program.
"Large or small, chronic or crisis, adversity happens. How you respond is determined in part by your resilience capacity when tough times strike."
--Jerry L. Patterson & Paul Kelleher
--Jerry L. Patterson & Paul Kelleher
Reading Corner: Check out what we're reading.
Jerry L. Patterson and Paul Kelleher explore how leaders, both those with titles and without, can find strength in the face of adversity. They found the answer in an old quote: "It's not so much what you do. It's how you think about what you do that makes all of the difference."
Many know Manny Scott from Freedom Writers. In this book, he provides activities for the reader to recognize and embrace his/her next step both professionally and personally. Scott offers perspective about how to achieve success, however that word is defined by the reader.
Have your ever wondered how you could create a greater sense of professional engagement in your school? The authors provide four steps to take to build effective teams who work to improve student outcomes. This book is packed with tips and strategies that can be easily put into practice.
Resilient School Leaders
Dimensions of Resilience as described by Patterson and Kelleher
The Cycle of Resisilience
Learn more about overcoming adversity and strengthening your resilience in Patterson and Kelleher's book. They describe six strengths that allow leaders to positively impact the culture of an organization:
- Accurate assessment of both the organization's past and current reality
- Positive attitude about the future
- Commitment to personal values
- Personal efficacy
- Energy
- Courage to act
Looking for a little inspiration from one of our featured authors?
CERRA can provide support for your District Forum.
Contact Suzanne Koty at Suzanne@cerra.org for more information.
Options: Organizational support, presentations, strategic planning, and more
Contact Suzanne Koty at Suzanne@cerra.org for more information.
Options: Organizational support, presentations, strategic planning, and more
CERRA'S TEACHER LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jenna Hallman |
Program Director |
hallmanj@cerra.org |
Suzanne Koty |
Program Facilitator |
suzanne@cerra.org |
Jan Patterson |
Program Specialist |
pattersonj@cerra.org |
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