Dr. Diane H. Harwell, Department of Educational Leadership and Policies, serves on the Burton-Pack Elementary School 21st Century Community Learning Center Advisory Board
Burton-Pack Elementary School, Richland County School District One, is in its second year of a four year 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, which was awarded by the state. The major mission of the grant is to create and support a program to provide students and their families with academic and enriching activities beyond the school day. The program, designed for third to fifth graders, serves 155 students. The program at Burton-Pack runs Monday through Friday from 2:30 until 5. Two afternoons are focused on enrichment, while three focus on academics. In addition there is an Early Bird SuccessMaker component for 30 minutes daily beginning at 7. With the many and varied academic and enrichment offerings, Mary B. Kirkland, site coordinator, welcomes volunteers and mentors.
Social Justice Awards Presented to University Community
By Frenche Brewer, brewer4@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-5400
Alumnus Publishes Book to Benefit CarolinaLIFE
Donald Bailey,'71, has published a book that will benefit the Frank and Frank McGuire Scholarship he helped to establish in the College of Education. The book, LIFE Learning Is For Everyone: The True Story of How South Carolina Came to be a Leader in Providing Opportunities for Postsecondary Education to Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, is avaliable for purchase at Amazon.com.
Praise for Don Bailey's Book
"Anyone interested in disability, in education, in helping broaden the horizon of opportunities for young people exiting special education will be the wiser for having read this book. Readable, fast-paced, well written, and instructive-this book provides fascinating and important insight into the brilliant leadership, hard work, and innovative education program development of one individual . . . Donald Bailey"
Madeleine Will
Vice President of Public Policy
National Down Syndrome Society
"Donald Bailey demonstrates the power parents have to create new and better options for their children with intellectual disabilities and makes it clear that the first step in his journey was listening to his son's dreams and believing that they were possible. In recounting his personal journey of hope, disappointment, and ultimately success, Donald demonstrates that all parents have the power to make change happen. I hope that every person, parent, teacher, and policymaker who reads this book sees in it a reflection of their own potential to make the dream of college into reality. These efforts will pay dividends for years to come for families of students with intellectual disabilities in South Carolina and throughout our country. "
Meg Grigal, PhD
Co-Director, Think College
Institute for Community Inclusion
UMASS-Boston
MLK Committee Presents Social Justice Awards
The University of South Carolina’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee recently presented its Social Justice Awards to three university community members who exemplify Dr. King’s philosophies through acts of community service, social justice or racial reconciliation.
The faculty award, recognizing outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research or creative work, service and outreach, went to Dr. Gloria Boutte for exemplary teaching, research and community service to advance understanding of underrepresented groups.
Boutte is the Yvonne and Schuyler Moore Child Advocacy Distinguished Chair of Early Childhood Education in USC’s College of Education’s (COE) Department of Instruction and Teacher Education. Thomas L. Stepp, former secretary of the Board of Trustees, was presented the staff award. Stepp, the second-longest-serving board secretary in university history, was nominated for his 25 years of service to the university. He received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, in 2003.
Alex Rutherford, a junior history major with an emphasis on African-American history and the Civil Rights Movement, received the student Social Justice Award. Rutherford, an exchange student from Warwick, England, was presented the award for his desire to promote education and a greater understanding among all races. He is a Christ Church volunteer who regularly engages students in discussions about the impact of Dr. King’s teachings and philosophies.
Alumni awarded the Beveridge Family Teaching Award
Jason Yaman, who graduated from the MT program in Secondary Education Social Studies in 2002, was selected for a prestigious national award, the Beveridge Family Teaching Award, from the American Historical Association for his work at Blythewood Middle School.
It’s Tuesday morning, and about 15 Blythewood Middle School students are focused on creating simple one-line drawings on computers or typepads.
“Remember, at this point, magic is still a big part of Asian cultures,” teacher Jason Yaman hints.
This isn’t art class, but social studies — more specifically, world history from the 1500s to present. These seventh-graders are studying British and American Imperialism in the 1800s.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/02/01/2135572/blythewood-techer-wins-special.html#storylink=cpy
Earl and Sherry Whatley's Story
Hope springs eternal, and so can your dedication to the University of South Carolina. Estate planning strategies can plant seeds now that will blossom for years to come. Cultivate your legacy by designating the University of South Carolina or its affiliated foundations in your will or trust.
Earl and Sherry Whatley feel strongly about supporting South Carolina's future educators in the College of Education. Earl was an assistant dean and professor in the college; Sherry earned a master's degree in education at Carolina and later taught in public schools before becoming a principal. They've chosen to bequeath two generous scholarship funds that will support education students at the University of South Carolina in perpetuity, and have continued to increase their support to these funds over time. By investing in the education of future teachers, the Whatleys know that their gift will pay rich dividends for many years to come.
"We love the University—we met there and were married in the University's Rutledge Chapel—and we both wanted to give something that would be meaningful and keep on giving long after we're no longer here," Sherry said.
With wise planning, you can feel good now about providing future benefits that will last forever. To learn more about various planned giving opportunities please contact Amanda Wilson at 803-777-2335, e-mail wilsonal@mailbox.sc.edu, or visit www.sc.planyourlegacy.org.
Five School Improvement Councils Named Finalists for Annual State Riley Award for SIC Excellence
COLUMBIA – Five South Carolina School Improvement Councils (SICs) have been named statewide award finalists for their accomplishments in parent and civic engagement.
The S.C. School Improvement Council’s annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence was created in 2002 to recognize the significant contributions made to public education by the 14,000-plus local SIC members who volunteer in the state’s 1,100-plus K-12 public schools.
In alphabetical order, this year’s Riley Award finalists are:
Baron DeKalb Elementary SIC, Camden (Kershaw County School District)
Blythe Academy of Languages SIC, Greenville (Greenville County Schools)
Burton-Pack Elementary SIC, Columbia (Richland School District 1)
Jennie Moore Elementary SIC, Mount Pleasant (Charleston County School District)
Port Royal Elementary SIC, Port Royal (Beaufort County School District)
“These five School Improvement Councils are to be commended for the outstanding and very important work they have done for their schools and students,” said SC-SIC Board of Trustees Chairman Sylleste Davis. “Their efforts demonstrate the real value of bringing parents, educators, and community members together to share ideas, strategies, and resources for the benefit of our state’s children and their futures.”
In the past year, SIC members across South Carolina have turned in more than 231,000 volunteer hours in their local schools at an estimated value of more than $3.8 million – a substantial return on the state’s current SC-SIC budget allocation of just over $200 per school per year.
The winner of the 2012 Riley Award will be selected from this year’s finalists and announced at the SC-SIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, March 24, 2012, in Columbia.
The SC-SIC Riley Award is named in honor of former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley and his late wife, Tunky, and recognizes the couple’s longstanding commitment to quality public education.
Located in the University of South Carolina’s College of Education, the S.C. School Improvement Council was established in state law more than three decades ago to provide the member training, technical assistance, statutory accountability, and other operational resources necessary for the continued success of the community-based SICs in each of the state’s K-12 public schools.
Dick Riley to speak at SC-SIC Annual Meeting, Saturday, March 24
The S.C. School Improvement Council (SC-SIC), housed at the USC College of Education, will hold its 2012 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration, Saturday, March 24, at Dreher High School, 3319 Millwood Avenue, Columbia. Former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley will be special guest speaker.
The theme of this year’s meeting is “The School-Community Connection: Plugging-In to Power Potential.” The day’s events will highlight the importance of collaborative efforts by parents, community and educators in the lives of our schools and students.
Included in the agenda will be video presentations and discussions of innovative school-community, collaborations. Speaking will be USC College of Education’s Dr. Bruce Field and Dr. Steve Thompson, and Daniel Canada of Columbia’s Eau Claire Promise Zone. Presentations will be made by SC-SIC’s 2012 Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence finalists, and the presentation of this year’s Riley Award will be made by Governor Riley.
As a state legislator, Governor Riley was instrumental in the creation of South Carolina’s School Improvement Councils. As governor, he – with his late wife, Tunky – demonstrated outstanding commitment to strengthening public education. President Bill Clinton tapped Governor Riley’s innovation and expertise by appointing him U.S. Secretary of Education, a post he held longer than any other education secretary.
Check-in for the meeting will start at 8:15 a.m. The day’s activities will run from 9 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.
The event is not solely for local SIC members but for anyone interested in civic engagement in our public schools. Registration fee for this event is just $25, which includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Advance registration and advance payment by check, money order or purchase order is required – no later than Wednesday, March 21. There will be no onsite registration the day of the meeting!
Additional information on the event and registration materials are available online at http://sic.sc.gov.
Have questions? Call the SC-SIC office at 803-777-7658.
Andrew Dalzell Ed.S Class of 2011, was promoted to assistant director for transfer initiatives at the University of South Carolina.
Melissa Kupfer, M.Ed. 2011, was named coordinator for the USC Trio's Ronald E. McNair's Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program in October 2011.
Kimberly L. Deering (MSW 1986), (EdS. 1998), (PhD 2010), was recently appointed as a professor in the Counseling Department at Liberty University. Dr. Deering also serves as a school counselor at Reidville Elementary School in Spartanburg District Five Schools.
David Mash, PhD, Class of 2008, is dean of the library at Lander University and has agreed to serve as the interim vice president for academic affairs, beginning July 1 2012.
Dr. Stephanie Foote, a 2010 Ph.D. graduate in Educational Administration/Higher Education, has been named editor of the Journal of College Orientation and Transition, a scholarly publication of the National Orientation Directors Association. Dr. Foote, an associate professor in the Department of First Year Programs at Kennesaw State University, was the first Ph.D. student to participate in the program “Write On,” developed by Higher Education Program faculty to help graduate students focus on scholarly writing skills.
Ernest Jeffries, D.Min. (Bachelor of Music Education 1989), (M.Ed. 1991), graduated from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, with the Doctor of Ministry degree. His research focus was educating first generation families about the college choice process in a faith based setting. Jeffries is the Assistant Dean of student Life at Davidson College in Davidson, NC. He also is the pastor of the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Davidson, NC.
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We remember friends and alumni of the College of Education.