February 2017
Beth Leavitt Named National Space Educator of the Year
“I was always very inquisitive,” said Beth Leavitt, Wade Hampton High physics and engineering teacher. “I was that odd child that instead of asking for a bicycle, I asked for a microscope. I was that kid who was going around snipping people’s hair so I could look at it under the microscope.”
After working for 12 years as a biochemist in the private sector, Mrs. Leavitt decided it was time to ‘come out from behind the microscope’ and become a teacher. “Working as an environmental chemist proved invaluable to me as I use this experience to make me a better teacher,” she said. “I think physics and engineering are great opportunities to show students how relevant science is to the real world. So I take every opportunity to infuse real-world applications into the classroom.” The rest of the story.
Kristen Marakoff Receives Leadership Development Award
Kristen Marakoff, a first-year English teacher at Travelers Rest High School, was recognized with the South Carolina Council of Teachers of English (SCCTE) Leadership Development Award.
“It was inevitable for me to become a teacher,” said Marakoff. “I always loved school and I think I was looking for a way to extend the experience. I was lucky because teaching is nothing like being a student. But I love it!” she added. Marakoff was a Teaching Fellow and Teacher Cadet in high school.
Educators Earn 2017 National Board Certification and Renewal
Tonia Bauer, a fifth grade teacher at Thomas E. Kerns Elementary, has earned 2017 National Board Certification, and 35 additional teachers have met NBCT renewal requirements. National Board Certification is one of the teaching profession’s most respected achievements.
With 684 teachers who have achieved National Board Certification, Greenville County Schools ranks 13th in the nation out of more than 14,000 school districts for total number of NBC teachers. GCS also has more NBCTs than 24 states. South Carolina ranks third in the nation with 8,928 NBC teachers, behind North Carolina and Florida.
“National Board Certification is considered the gold standard in teacher certification,” said District Superintendent W. Burke Royster. “I commend these educators for completing this rigorous process that results in bringing instructional excellence into the classroom.” Click here for the complete list of 2017 NBCT renewals.
February is Love the Bus Month!
This month, we're celebrating the contributions of our more than 400 school bus drivers during Love the Bus Month. Students have been showing their appreciation for their bus drivers by giving them I Love the Bus notes, painting the sides of school buses, and hanging banners in front of their schools.
League Academy Named National School to Watch
Congratulations to the staff at League Middle Academy for their hard work to re-designate their school a National School to Watch for the third time! League Academy’s magnet program for the arts continues to flourish, with increased use of technology for students through the purchase of Chromebooks for the classroom. The school has also implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy so students have more access to technology.
Among League Academy's outstanding arts programs are creative writing, Digital Media Arts, Drama I, and Art I. Staff have implemented a whole-school literacy initiative that includes a global communications course to facilitate communication skills based on The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
United Way Giving Tops $614,000!
Thank you for caring about our community! Greenville County Schools, as well as 63 individual schools and 7 departments, were recognized by The United Way of Greenville County for their participation in and increased contributions to the 2016 campaign. Greenville County Schools as a whole contributed $614,549 to the campaign.
Grants for Teachers
Looking for a way to fund a special classroom project? Check out these grant opportunities. Contact Lisa Finley, 355-3113, with questions.
Pets in the Classroom – K-8 educators are eligible to apply for grants for small pets or aquariums for the classroom. Applicants must use the grant to teach responsible pet care and cannot be used for research or experiments. Types of pets available vary depending on which vendor’s grant is selected. To see a list of vendors and how to apply online, click here. Deadline: Rolling.
California Certified Organic Farmers Foundation – Twenty grants of $1,000 are available to K-8 educators to support projects that integrate organic agriculture into classroom instruction. Free & Reduced rate of 50% or higher is preferred for the applicant school(s). To access the online application or for project ideas, click here. Deadline: April 1 - May 15, 2017 Audience: K-8 educators.
Kinder Morgan Foundation Grants - The foundation offers grants between $1,000 and $5,000 for K-12 programs focused on science, math, art, and music. These may include academic programs such as tutoring, arts education, and environmental education. Click here to review the application requirements and process. Deadline: 10th of Every Month.
Academic Enrichment Grants - The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers grants of up to $10,000 to develop in-class and extra-curricular K-12 programs that improve student learning. Programs should nurture the intellectual, artistic, and creative abilities of children from low-income homes. To access the online application, applicants must register for an account at this link. Deadline: January 15 - April 15, 2017.
Employee Discounts
Golden Apple Rewards Discount Program – Beginning this year, the Golden Apple Rewards program offers will be exclusively available online at www.goldenapplerewards.com and through the mobile app. Books will no longer be distributed to employees. Employees must show their GCS ID badge to receive the discounts. All offers are good through December 31, 2017.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena Discounts - New discounts include the SEC Women's Tournament, Casting Crowns, the Swamp Rabbits, the Harlem Globetrotters, Sesame Street Live, and the rodeo. Use code GCSD to receive discounts.
Peace Center Educator Night - The Peace Center is hosting an Educator Night on Wednesday, April 12. Join your colleagues for a performance of the hilarious new Broadway musical comedy Something Rotten!, in which two brothers set out to write a hit show that’s better than Shakespeare’s and end up creating the world’s first musical. Educators can save 15% on tickets through this special offer. Click here to secure your tickets or call the box office at 864-467-3000 and mention promo code PCEDUCATOR. In addition, a Peace Talk will be held prior to the performance at 6:30 p.m., and teachers can earn PD points for attending both the Talk and performance.
Important Dates
Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 - Makeup Days
Monday - Friday, April 10-14 - Spring Break
(April 10-11 Required Leave for 12-Month Employees)