Jonesville Elementary School - Union County
May 16, 2008
Coming to a faculty meeting after a long PACT day....un-heard of! Having a 45 min meeting after a long PACT day...unthinkable, right? ....Not for the staff at Jonesville Elementary School in Union County. I was asked by their science coach, Kathie Harris, to come and share my message with the teachers at JES. It was a wonderful event. I could feel the energy (although it was an after school meeting) in the teachers and I could also see and feel the energy of the dynamic principal as well...especially when he sang and danced to "Respect." :) Thank you to the teachers of Jonesville Elementary for making me feel welcome! Keep on fighting the good fight for public education! ...And PACT is almost over .....yeah!
Posted at: 10:15 AM | Add Comment | Permalink
Allendale Teacher Forum
May 16, 2008
I love talking about and helping to create teacher forums around this state. I was able to spend some time with the passionate and hopeful teachers in Allendale county this past week. What a joy is to see teachers who WANT teacher leadership...they are asking for it! I spent an afternoon with some of the teachers in Allendale talking about starting an Allendale County Teacher Forum. What a great time! Deloris Capers - the previous district teacher of the year - helped to make this afternoon possible.
I reminded the Allendale teachers that they have a VOICE and it is time they used it- for themselves but mostly for the children they serve! The time is now and I can not wait to see what is in store for the soon-to-be Allendale Teacher Forum! Good Luck!
Posted at: 10:11 AM | Add Comment | Permalink
As the year draws close to an end...
April 26, 2008
One year ago I left the amazing teacher of the year banquet-- feeling amazed, overwhelmed and so excited! My message all year has been simple: choose to celebrate the strenghts in others and find a way to lead through service. After experiencing this unbelievable gift of serving as STOY, I now drive to each and every speaking engagement knowing that it is NOT about me… A few Sundays ago my teaching pastor at church talked about how God was able to take “periods” in our life---times when we wanted to stop, give up, throw in the towel….and turn those periods into commas….Periods turning into commas…….our God gives us hope, he reminds us why we are here and why our role on earth is so important. In my classroom, I was able to do the same thing for each of my students. I was...
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Posted at: 06:14 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Washington DC
April 14, 2008
I spent this past week in Washington DC with the Educational Policy Fellows Program. While the workshop was enlightening, I was completely amazed at all that I saw in DC. As I toured "the mall" I was in awe of my surroundings. I saw heros ---- the heros of the United States ---- and I continued to think about teachers...we are heros for our "kids" every day. We are so lucky to be doing such important work day in and day out. We have our very own "mission field" right here in our very own neighborhoods. That is a gift. Maybe someday DC will honor teachers as US heros too!
Posted at: 05:31 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Transition Meeting in Myrtle Beach
April 14, 2008
I was invited to speak at the Transition Workshop in Myrtle Beach. I was speaking to teachers, parents, and advocates for children with special needs. What a great audience! I came home after the event to find an email from one of the men in the audience at the transition meeting. He thanked me but he also made mention that although he is not in the classroom, he is just as passionate about children and adults with special needs. He works for a company that provides text books and curriculum for students with mental disabilities. What a reward to see pasionate people hard at work for a great cause!
Posted at: 05:24 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Did you know?
April 5, 2008
Quality Counts Report states:
South Carolina is ranked number 1 in Teacher Quality.
Posted at: 12:47 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award
April 5, 2008
What an honor is was to be named a 2008 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of South Carolina - from the Moutains to the Midlands. Thank you!
Posted at: 12:45 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Kershaw County Special Olympics
April 5, 2008
What a dream it was to see the second annual Kershaw County Special Olympics track and field games happen -despite the RAIN!
I feel so lucky to have had partners like the Camden Police Department - they helped raise all of the money needed for the event! Thank you Camden Police Department.
I feel just as lucky to have met and worked with Eric Boland from Camden Military Academy - Camden Military Academy donated their school's facilities, lunch (for everyone there), their time, their Cadets, a bouncie house and they even bought tshirts for all of the students!
Thank you to Kershaw County School District for allowing us to attend!
Thank you to Jennifer Watson and Tricia Moak for all of your help. Thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers for coming out to help!
Thank you to the athletes....YOU ARE ALL SUPER STARS!
Posted at: 12:35 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Cheraw Area Schools - Top Notch
April 5, 2008
I was so impressed today. I was able to visit the Cheraw area schools and I was so impressed every step of the way.
Cheraw High School - thank you for allowing me to meet your amazing special education teachers and students. Thank you for allowing me to speak at your faculy meeting - your teachers are so much fun! Keep up your dedication...Way to Go!
Long Middle School - WOW! Your special education department is cutting edge. They are true leaders in every sense of the word. I was proud and impressed by their program. I wish they could take their "story" on the road in South Carolina. We could all learn from their devotion to their students....Way to go! Share your message every chance you get!
Cheraw Intermediate School - Thank you for allowing me to come and share my message with your very devoted and wonderful special...
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Posted at: 12:20 PM | Add Comment | Permalink
Cheraw High School and McBee High School Teacher Cadets
April 5, 2008
Thank you to Cheraw HS Teacher Cadets and Thank you to McBee HS Teacher Cadets for having me....thank you for allowing me to share my message...thank you for thinking about becoming teachers! I was impressed by your enthusiasm and energy.
Thank you!
Posted at: 12:18 PM | Add Comment | Permalink