SC-ASCD Reporter - Spring 2011 Newsletter

SC
ASCD
Affiliate
Excellence
2006
ASCD Reporter
ASSOCIATION FOR SUPERVISION & CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
P.O. Box 212546, Columbia, South Carolina 29221
SOUTH CAROLINA
ASCD OFFICERS
Eric Levitt, President/Executive Board
Spartanburg School District Three
Nicky Andrews, Vice President/Executive Board
Greenville County Schools
Pam Cato, Vice President/Executive Board
York County School District Two
Katinia Davis, Secretary/Executive Board
Richland School District Two
Archie Franchini, Treasurer/Executive Board
Berkeley County School District
Connie Long, Immediate Past President
Kershaw County School District
Winners of the
SC ASCD Awards
and Scholarships
SC ASCD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sally Barefoot, SCDE Liaison
SCDE, Office of School Leadership
Terry Brewer
Gold Hill Elementary School
Jerome Davis, Lower Coastal Region
Westview Middle School
Connie Dennis, Past-Presidents Council
Clarendon School District Three
Sarah Earle, Lower Coastal Region
Charleston County School District
Charlene Herring, Leadership Council Rep.
SC-ASCD Executive Director
Kathy Howard, Educational Consultant
BOD Member
Eric Jeffcoat, Upper Coastal Region
Windsor Elementary School
Bill Jenkins
Historian/Auditor/Parliamentarian
Kathy Jones, Lower Coastal Region, IHE Rep.
The Citadel
Don Kaufman, Piedmont Region
Blue Ridge Middle School
Sharon Langdale, Business Liaison
Pearson Digital Learning
Michaele Lemrow, Upper Midlands Region
Kelly Mill Middle School
Carol Lenderman, Lower Midlands Region
Edgefield County School District
David Mathis, Leadership Council Representative
Saluda County Schools
Quincie Moore, Piedmont Region
Spartanburg School District Two
Judy Newman, State Board Member, Chair
USC Upstate/EDVantage
Renee Stubbs, IHE Liaison
Newberry College
Valerie Truesdale, BOD Member
Beaufort County Schools
Wanda Whatley, State Board Member, Awards
Retired
Cookie Winburn, Past-President, Executive Board
Richland School District Two
Dr. David Mathis shares a moment with current SC ASCD President, Eric Levitt.
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
SC ASCD Reporter
Winners of the SC ASCD Awards
and Scholarships for 2010
Friend of Education Award
Elaine Harris, Mayor, Pacolet, SC
Nominated by: Dr. Eric Levitt, Assistant Superintendent
for Instruction, Spartanburg School District 3
Elaine Harris works tirelessly to coordinate and nurture
the relationship between community, faculty, staff and the
students of Spartanburg School District 3 to create unique
learning opportunities. As a US Preserve America
Community, the community of Pacolet, and Mayor Harris,
believe that children come first. Through the efforts of the
mayor, surrounding businesses and numerous volunteers give
of their time and resources to the schools of the district.
Mayor Harris has continuously supported both the
elementary and middle school of Pacolet by mentoring,
volunteering, serving on school improvement councils, and
allowing the use of the town hall for functions. Mayor Harris
does not see limitations from being a small community. She
sees broad horizons to reach out to and bring home, sharing
her community with all. Some of the educational benefits
resulting from Mayor Harris’ involvement with the school
community include: Instrumental in the creation of a Social
Studies curriculum which utilizes 40 local community
volunteers that serve the school in the classroom during field
experiences; coordinates volunteers who speak with students
on the impact of war on the students and the community;
coordinates public officials to speak to students about
serving in government office; coordinated a partnership
between Vulcan Quarry and Pacolet Elementary for the study
of rocks and minerals; coordinated a partnership with
Lockhart Power for student study of electricity; and, many
other levels of support for the school district. Through her
love of the community, children and education, Elaine Harris
is making a daily impact on the lives of the children of
Spartanburg School District 3. We appreciate Mayor Harris
for working to create a community of Life Long Learners in
her community.
Outstanding Administrator Award
Dr. David M. Mathis, Superintendent,
Saluda County Schools
Nominated by: Mary Alice Quattlebaum,
Public Information Officer
Dr. Mathis holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mars
Hill College, a Master of Secondary Education from the
University of South Carolina and a Doctor of Educational
Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He has
served as the Superintendent of Saluda County Schools since
2008. During his tenure as Superintendent thus far, Dr.
Mathis has implemented the following innovations to
education: 21st Century Learning Centers Grant; Safe
Schools Healthy Students Federal Grant; established
Friends of Education, Saluda County Schools; implemented
Professional Learning Communities, Saluda County
Schools; and implemented an Instructional Fair for Teachers.
Prior to his appointment as Superintendent he served as an
Associate Superintendent for Administration in Aiken
County School District, Assistant Superintendent for
Instruction in Edgefield County School District and as an
Elementary Principal, Assistant Principal and Social Studies
teacher in Edgefield County. Dr. Mathis has served in
numerous roles as a member of SC ASCD and on the
following committees for the Association of Supervision
and Curriculum Development: Leadership Council;
Nominating Committee Member as the Co-Chair and
Chair; and on the Legislative Committee. In addition he is a
member of Carolina First, Palmetto’s Finest Committee
and has served as Committee Chair since 2004. He has
served on the Elementary Division Executive Board for the
South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Those who know Dr. Mathis describe him as a caring
individual who brings light into any room that he enters. His
smile and enthusiasm bring out the best in all of those around
him. Both adults and children in his district benefit from his
positive demeanor and sincere concern for each individual.
With this award, the membership of SC ASCD expresses their
sincere appreciation for your leadership, initiative, dedication,
and love for the children of South Carolina.
continued on next page
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
SC ASCD Reporter
Outstanding Teacher Award
Kara Ruth, 6th and 7th Grade Science Teacher, Middle
School of Pacolet, Spartanburg School District 3
Nominated by: Cynthia James, former Principal of the
Middle School of Pacolet
Kara Ruth earned her BS in Elementary Education from
Auburn University and just completed her Masters of
Education in Middle Level Science from Converse College.
Kara is beginning her 5th year of teaching at the Middle
School of Pacolet. With her main focus the instruction of
children, Kara has proven that she is an outstanding teacher.
Selected by her peers as Teacher of the Year 2008-2009, Kara
demonstrated that she was deserving of the honor by having
90% of her 6th grade students score met or exemplary on the
PASS test (41.9% were exemplary). Through inquiry based
lessons, Kara’s passion for science and teaching students is
evident. In addition to teaching her students, Kara has served
as a cooperating teacher for an education student from
Converse College, worked with other middle school science
teachers to write a new science curriculum guide for the
district, presented professional development information to
other teachers, served on committees and the leadership team
for the school and coaches the girls’ volleyball team. As
quoted from Mrs. James “Kara is a fresh young teacher who
teaches with the knowledge of a veteran.” We are certain that
Kara will continue to lead students on the path of scientific
knowledge.
Program Recognition Award
Kelly Mill Middle School, INC. “We Mean Business”,
Richland School District Two
Nominated by: Vann Holden, Lead Teacher,
Kelly Mill, INC.
INC. is a Richland School District Two magnet program
offering a unique middle school experience to 240 students,
engaging students with broader and deeper depth of content,
fast pacing, and an embedded global business and economics
strand. INC. students pursue an education designed to equip
them with the skills necessary for leadership and success in
their chosen career field, in the face of mounting pressures of
competition from around the world. As such, INC. focuses
on equipping students with the 21st Century Skills, basic
knowledge on economics, and sound reasoning skills.
Students in the program learn about personal finance,
economics, and business during one of the most critical
times in our nation’s recent history. The rigor of the program
and the complexity of the material discussed demand that
INC. students be highly intellectually capable and highly
motivated. INC. targets high-achieving, highly-motivated
middle school students and seeks to equip the students with
skills necessary in the global marketplace. INC. has
embraced the Metiri Group’s model of the 21st Century Skill
to ensure students are proficient in: Digital Age Literacy;
Inventive Thinking; Communication; and High Productivity.
A monthly after-school program called thINC. Tank allows
students to participate in activities designed to expand on the
program goals and curriculum. Each INC. student is assigned
an advisor. A partnership has been established with Bartley
Green School in Birmingham, England to engage in an idea
exchange with their peers at the foreign school. INC. is
definitely an innovative program to help middle students
become more productive citizens.
Scholarship Winner
Sara Lynn Winburn, Elgin, South Carolina
College to be Attending: Liberty University
Major: MAT Elementary Education
Sara Lynn graduated in May from Anderson University
with a degree in Theatre. She plans to attend Liberty
University and pursue a MAT in Elementary Education. Sara
Lynn believes an educator is much more than just one who
teaches. “The purpose of educating is to inform students of
the knowledge needed to be a successful contributor to
society and a confident member of the workplace.” Sara
Lynn’s goal as an educator is to be a concerned and
consistent content and character builder. Sara Lynn has
attended two national ASCD conferences and has seen the
impact that ASCD has on teachers. Sara Lynn wants to
further her education so that her future students will benefit
through her increased knowledge about her subject and
profession. We are looking forward to having Sara Lynn as a
member of our profession.
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
SC ASCD Reporter
page 4
SC ASCD Fall Conference 2010
Supporting Struggling Students
Robyn Jackson, author of Never Work Harder than
Your Students and How to Support Struggling Students,
shared her insight on working smarter, not harder, while
providing all students the opportunity to achieve. While
emphasizing the positive aspects of a standards-based
curriculum, Ms. Jackson spoke openly about the challenges
of focusing our instruction and our work habits on student
success. She emphasized the positive role that the teacher
can and must play for all students, especially those who may
feel challenged or who tend to withdraw.
Her presentation really became a heartfelt conversation
with the audience as she discussed her steps of implementing
change in the beliefs and behaviors of both teachers and
students. Her messages
“to realize and believe in
the role you play” and
“to keep working” were
continuous threads of
conversation throughout
the day. She never ceased
to emphasize the role of
the teacher in student
success. Being practical,
she reminded all of us
that 100% success may
not be possible always,
but success does breed
success. Perseverance on
the part of the teacher
breeds perseverance on
Robyn Jackson has an informal
the part of the students.
approach as she discusses with
participants how to improve
Her message was wellstudent performance.
stated and well received.
Comments of participants
as they were leaving
reflected on tips that had been shared and how those
strategies could be implemented in their own school and
district setting.
Participants are noting all of the valuable ideas shared.
Vendor and Participant
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
Visiting with Vendor
SC ASCD Reporter
page 5
Innovative Reform to Create Student
Engagement and Success
By Sally Barefoot, Director, Office of School Leadership,
South Carolina Department of Education
This October, the South Carolina Department of
Education (SCDE) was awarded $42.4 million in federal
Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grant monies to help train,
reward and support effective teachers and principals in highneed and hard-to-staff areas. As the grant’s work progresses
with personnel in multiple elementary, middle and high
schools, one aspect will focus on the dropout rate of students
and on the pedagogy that is needed to work with the
distinctive needs of those identified as at-risk.
In awarding the funds, United States Secretary of
Education Arne Duncan reinforced the role of effective
teachers, “Nothing is more important than great teaching.
These grants will help schools build a culture that celebrates
excellence in the classroom and helps all teachers improve
their practice.”
This is the third time in four years that South Carolina’s
public schools have received federal funds from this grant
source. This award of $42.4 million is the fifth largest for a
statewide education agency. The grant utilizes the state’s
highly effective Teacher Advancement Program (TAP),
SC TAP. Through the grant, the SCDE will work with 1,700
teachers and principals – affecting over 20,000 students in 42
schools within 12 school districts. In the process, a
comprehensive model of reform will emerge that will
enhance professional development and compensation for
highly effective educators. The ultimate end-goal, however,
is greatly improved student achievement.
Clearly, one panacea for drop-outs, is student engagement
and student success. Both are firmly linked to an effective
teacher. Through the grant, SC TAP offers a new model of
incentives for recruitment and retention of effective teachers
and administrators needed for at-risk students. It has four
components:
• Multiple career paths that give teachers a chance to
advance their careers while continuing to work directly
with students to increase student achievement;
• Performance-based accountability, using multiple
measures of student and teacher achievement in a fair and
rigorous manner;
• Ongoing, applied professional development that helps
teachers acquire the skills to address their needs as well as
the needs of students; and
• Performance-based compensation that can mean higher
pay for teachers and principals based on student
achievement measured using a value-added growth model,
as well as instructional excellence as evaluated by a valid,
reliable, and rigorous assessment.
Through the implementation of a performance based
compensation system, using value-added measures that are
reliable and transparent, the educational culture will be
enhanced and will increase the ability to recruit and retain
highly effective educators. These new recruits will ultimately
affect student achievement, specifically those students who
are at-risk.
The design of professional development, through the grant
using the SC TAP model, mandates that teachers be
retrained to understand their unique needs as well as those of
their students. Through an ongoing, applied, professional
development model, teachers will analyze aspects of
students’ realities - from social, academic, cultural, familial
needs and more - that might have gone unrecognized.
Indeed, it is the students’ needs that trigger the catalyst for
change. Students and teachers receive services which help
guide stronger academic performances. Through constant
analysis, students in distress, who once fell through the
cracks, are identified in the earliest stages allowing specific
needs to be individually addressed through the growth of the
teacher strategies.
SC TAP has been a successful partner with multiple
schools and districts throughout South Carolina. It has been
at the forefront of innovation and data management related to
reform with professional growth and performance based
compensation. The model proves that performance based
compensation implemented with the proper efforts, support
and buy-in from educators, will encourage students to grow
beyond expected arbitrary benchmarks. These effective
teachers will not only engage all of their students but ensure
their success.
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
SC ASCD Reporter
page 6
SC ASCD Announces
Change in Leadership
The SC ASCD Executive Board reluctantly accepted the
resignation of our Executive Director, Mary Seamon, who resigned
due to personal obligations. Dr. Seamon, a staunch teacher and
student advocate, was leading SC ASCD into new avenues of service
for the educational community. Needless to say, she will be missed
at the helm of activity in our organization; but she will not be
forgotten. Her ideas and legacy will continue to guide us.
Fortunately, SC ASCD has a wealth of talent and support within
the state. Charlene Herring, a former SC ASCD President, has
agreed to serve as Interim Executive Director to continue our
mission of service to teachers and administrators across the district.
We appreciate her willingness to serve in this capacity and look
forward to continued success as an organization.
Teacher Incentive Funds
Visit these sites to find out more about this topic.
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherincentive/index.html
Find out the purpose of the Teacher Incentive Funds Grants. As you read, you will learn the required components in these
grant requests and read an abstract of SC’s grant application and other successful applicants.
http://ed.sc.gov/news/more.cfm?articleID=1647
Visit this site to find out what schools are participating in the SC TIF grant program and to learn more about the
components of the program.
LOOKING AHEAD
Make Your Plans Now To Join Us!
JULY, 2011
1-3
ASCD Summer Conference
Boston
OCTOBER, 2011
28-30
South Carolina Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
ASCD Fall Conference
Las Vegas