April 2017
Greenville County Schools has named 10 finalists in the Teacher of the Year program. The process of selecting the finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year. These teachers submitted applications which were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the Top Ten. The announcement naming our 2017-18 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.
Suzanne Billings, 4th Grade, Plain Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 18
Education – Bachelor’s in Special Education, Furman University; Master’s in Elementary School Guidance Counseling, Clemson University
Jeremy Bowen, Mathematics, J.L. Mann High Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 5
Education – Bachelor’s in Mathematics Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in Education, Anderson University
Scott Buhr, Physics/Earth Science, Hillcrest High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 4
Education – Bachelor’s in Composite Science Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in Educational Leadership, Bob Jones University
David Dejesa, Social Studies/Speech and Debate, Riverside High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 13
Education – Bachelor’s in Composite Social Studies Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in History Secondary Education, Converse College
Anjosia Ellerbe, Business Education, Wade Hampton High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 10
Education – Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Columbia College; Master’s of Education, Southern Wesleyan University; Master’s of Business Administration, Southern Wesleyan University
Chancey Greco, English Language Arts, Greenville Middle Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 6
Education – Bachelor’s in English, Coastal Carolina University; Master’s in Teaching Middle Level English, Clemson University
Ashley Jenkins, World History, Woodmont High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 23
Education – Bachelor’s in Secondary Education with specialization in Social Studies, Presbyterian College; Master’s in Secondary Education with specialization in Social Studies, Furman University
Lauren Long, English, Hillcrest Middle School
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 7
Education – Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education, Anderson University; Master’s in Education, Anderson University; Master’s in Educational Leadership, University of South Carolina
Thomas McAuliff, 3rd Grade, Taylors Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 5
Education – Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, North Greenville University; Master’s in Learning and Technology, Western Governor’s University
Erin Rigot, Communications, League Middle Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 7
Education – Bachelor’s in Middle School Education, English Language Arts and Social Studies, Presbyterian College; Master’s in Teaching and Learning, Clemson University
Teaching Digital Natives
They’re six, seven, or ten years old. They were born into and raised with the influence of digital technology, which makes them comfortable with computers, cell phone apps, and the Internet. They are known as digital natives, and our classrooms are full of them.
Amanda Madden, a second grade teacher at Bell’s Crossing Elementary, enjoys teaching digital natives. “I’m surprised at how quickly they learn to use technology. They’ve been using iPads since they were born, so it’s intuitive to them,” she said.
Madden has embraced the use of technology in the classroom for years, beginning as an Intel teacher and more recently as a member of the Discovery Education’s Digital Leader Corps (DLC). “I’ve always wanted to learn more about technology and how to use the latest thing,” she said. “As a DLC teacher, I am learning how to incorporate Discovery Education strategies while exploring technology in general.” Read more.
A few miles away, in a third grade classroom at Mauldin Elementary, Kajsa McCullough is building the future, one student at a time. “I think that building a 21st Century learner means we need to prepare them for future jobs, and technology is playing an increasing role in any field,” she explained. “We’re preparing them to use technology not just as an entertainment tool, but as something they can draw from and have new experiences, to create something new, and to innovate and collaborate.” Read more.
Watch third grader Kaya and her Awesome Fractions Powtoon presentation.
Monarch Elementary is Palmetto's Finest!
Monarch Elementary School is one of five schools statewide to win the 2017 Palmetto’s Finest Schools Award! The award is presented to schools that demonstrate outstanding student achievement, instructional programs, professional learning communities, and school culture.
Monarch Elementary, which opened in 2012, has infused a Health Science focus in the curriculum through a partnership with a local hospital system. Business partners offer engineering activities on S.T.E.A.M. Day, field questions for fifth grade inventions, and share their time and expertise.
Congratulations on a job well done!
SC Athletic Administrators Association Honors Employees
Congratulations to Superintendent Burke Royster, Athletic Director Darryl Nance, Travelers Rest High AD Erin Keen, and Woodmont High AD Chris Carter!
Superintendent Royster was named the SC Athletic Administrators Association Superintendent of the Year, which is awarded to a superintendent who shows outstanding leadership and support of athletics on the local and state levels.
· Darryl Nance was honored with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award for South Carolina.
· Erin Keen was named the Region 2 AAAA Athletic Director of the Year award.
· Chris Carter earned the Region 1 AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year award.
GCS Hall of Fame Accepting Nominations
Do you know an outstanding GCS graduate? Greenville County Schools is accepting nominations for the GCS Hall of Fame to honor men and women who have graduated Greenville County Schools and have made substantial or significant contributions at the local, regional, national, or international levels in any appropriate area of endeavor such as, but not limited to, academia and education, arts, athletics, business, media, public service, philanthropy, medicine, military, or science.
The deadline to receive nominations is Monday, May 1, 2017. The awards presentation will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at a dinner hosted by the Greenville County Schools Foundation.
Click here for selection criteria and the nomination form.
Five outstanding graduates were inducted into the inaugural GCS Hall of Fame in January. Click on the links below to find out more about these graduates.
Thomas E. Kerns, Awarded Posthumously
Charles Hard Townes, Awarded Posthumously
2017-18 Calendar Has Been Released
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, August 22, 2017. The last day of school is Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
End-of-Year Dates to Remember
- Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)
- May 31 - June 2 - High School Graduations
- Friday, June 2 - Last Day of School for Students
- Monday - Tuesday, June 5-6 - Professional Development/Workdays
- Monday, June 5 - Friday, August 11 - Summer Hours (Closed Fridays)
Employee Assistance Program Has A New Name
EAP Consultants has renamed the Employee Assistant Program Espyr and their new web address is https://www.espyr.com. Espyr provides free, confidential counseling for all employees and family members, with up to six sessions of counseling per issue. The Call Center is available 24/7 at 800-869-0276. You will continue to log into their secure website using the same company-specific password, GCS. Espyr has expanded their products and services which include unlimited work life services such as referrals for legal, financial, childcare, eldercare, academic, pet care, and more. Visit their website (password GCS) for more information and to download the mobile app.
Golden Apple Rewards Adds New Discounts
New discounts from Mosby Poinsett Apartment Homes, Precision Tune Auto Care, and Senior Helpers have been added to the Golden Apple Rewards Program. Visit www.goldenapplerewards.com for a complete listing of all discounts available to GCS employees. Be sure to download the app using these directions.