to the FBLA District III Leadership Conference Winners from

Kingstree Senior High School:  

Business Math    

Nitaya McCormick --- 3^rd Place

Business Calculations

    Jaquan Levine --- 5^th Place

Introduction to Business

Abreanna McFadden --- 3^rd Place

Lyrica Pasley  --- 4^th Place

Introduction to Technology Concepts

Brayonna Nesmith --- 1^st Place

Surya Boyd --- 2^nd Place

Job Interview

Jaleesa Blake --- 4^th Place

Networking Concepts

Jasmine Chandler --- 1^st Place

Gekares Williams --- 2^nd Place

Public Speaking I

Cierra Boykin --- 2^nd Place  

Williamsburg County School District Salutes

Students Committed to Public Service

Chelci Platt knows that the dream of Dr. King has not only impacted her life, but also the lives of her peers. For the past ten years, she has been actively involved in her community, where she volunteers as coach, canteen and equipment coordinator with The Dixie League Softball Recreation Program.  She is president of the Young People Department at Bethlehem AME Church, Johnsonville, SC.  She also volunteered at Hemingway High School during the summer of 2008. Helping others is very important to Chelci. She shared, "I like to be there for others, to listen to their concerns and to let them know that I really care." Chelci is a member of the volleyball and softball team at Hemingway High School. She is a graduating senior, and plans to major in Computer Science.

Jalill Brown is a senior at Hemingway High School. He believes that the dream of Dr. King has helped him in many areas of his life. Jalill's commitment to making a difference begins with his interest in helping younger students to understand that they are unique and important. Jalill shares this vision with students at Hemingway Elementary School, where he volunteers as a reader to first, second, and sixth graders. He plans to become a physician, and continue to work with youth.

Veronica Morant believes that there are many people who need help, and because she is able to give it, then she must. Veronica is a senior honor student at C. E. Murray High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Academic Challenge Team, School Chorus, and acts as a School Mentor. Veronica, along with classmate, Ambria Montgomery, decided that they could use their skills and knowledge in math and English to help junior high school students. Veronica and Ambria started Homework Advantage Tutoring in 2008: This business venture has positively impacted the lives of many students, whose performance in class improved along with their self-confidence. Veronica plans to attend Winthrop University, and major in Dietetics.

Tyric Williams, senior and honor student at C. E. Murray High School, knows, without question, that he has benefited from the dream of Dr. King, because everyday he strives to improve himself spiritually, mentally and physically. Tyric is president of the National Honor Society, and parliamentarian of the Student Government Association. Throughout his high school career, Tyric has volunteered in his community and school with various clubs and organizations. He has worked in town clean up projects, can food drives, angel tree project with the Salvation Army, and frequently reads to elementary and primary level students.  He is a member of the Future Educators of America, National Beta Club, FCCLA, and French Club. Tyric plans to attend college, majoring in biology, to become a Pharmacist.

Ambria Montgomery, a senior at C. E. Murray High School, believes that it just make sense to help others. She shared, "If I can help someone, but don't then how can I expect someone to help me?" Ambria is so committed to making a difference, and fulfilling the dream of Dr. M. L. King that in 2008 she and a fellow classmate, Veronica Morant, decided to tutor 7^th and 8^th grade students in math and English. During the 2008-09 school term, Ambria tutored three days per week after school, and during the summer. She and her classmate worked with more than 100 students to increase their academic performance. Ambria is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Academic Challenge Team, JROTC, and Marching Band. She plans to attend South Carolina State University in the fall, and her career plans include becoming a physical therapist. 

Rashawn Smalls, senior at Hemingway High School, is a star football and basketball player. He embraces the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King through his commitment to service. Rashawn is a school leader, and volunteers at Hemingway Elementary School. Rashawn also volunteers as director of Team Tyson Summer League, a six week summer camp for youth held in Hemingway, South Carolina. Rashawn plans to become a Criminal Defense Attorney.

Quintin Brown is an honor student and star football and basketball player at Hemingway High School. Quintin has volunteered as a tutor for the past six months at the Boys and Girls Club in Hemingway, South Carolina, where he helps students between the ages of 7 and 13 year old. Quintin also assist teachers at Hemingway Elementary School. Quintin will pursue a career in Sports Management upon graduation from high school.

Frank Montgomery, a senior at C. E. Murray High School, has volunteered for the past four years throughout his school and community. "Dr. Martin Luther King's dream has impacted my life on various levels. As a People to People Ambassor to Germany during the summer of 2008, I realized that we are more alike than we are different, even around cultural lines. By helping others, I am able to better myself," Frank commented. Frank's travel to Germany has positively impacted his views and commitment to volunteerism. Frank reads to younger children at Lane Head Start, and W. M. Anderson Primary School. Frank is very involved in his church, where he holds positions of leadership.  At school, he is vice president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the National Beta Club, Skills USA, and the Academic Challenge Team. He plans to become an Electrical Engineer.

Lakayla Burgess is a senior at C. E. Murray High School and believes that volunteerism builds her character, and makes her a better person. Her entrepreneurship skills, desire to help others, and interest in cooking led her to open KayKay's Bakery in 2008: This business venture allows Lakayla to share her cooking skills within her school, and community, by baking and donating food to help organizations, and fellow classmates to raise money to support their businesses. For the past 5 years, Lakayla has volunteered in her community by helping elderly neighbors with yard work. Lakayla says, "My mother has always stressed to my brothers and me that we have an obligation to serve. The love of giving and sharing is just a part of who I truly am." Lakayla looks forward to a successful career as a Pastry Chef.

Stevee Scott is a senior at Kingstree Senior High School, and president of the Student Council.  She is secretary of the National Honor Society, and a member of the National Beta Club and Varsity Cheerleaders.  Her community involvement includes, member of the United Methodist Conference Choir, President of the St. Paul United Methodist Youth Group, member of the St. Paul Youth Choir and Usher Board. It is very essential to Stevee, that students at Kingstree Senior High School are able to openly communicate with her. She feels it is very important that students at Kingstree Senior High feel safe, and enjoy their education.  Her commitment to others has led her to tutor students at Kingstree Senior High. During the summer of 2008, she also tutored students at Anderson Primary School. She is a Library Page at the Williamsburg County Library.  Stevee plans to major in Early Childhood Education, and minor in Special Education.

This information was submitted by Bonnie King, Director of Public Relations

Ms. Gwen Fleming, teacher at Cades Hebron Elementary School, and Ms. Natalie Robinson, teacher at D. P. Cooper Elementary School, pose with Mr. Byran Coburn, 2009-2010 State Teacher of the Year.

Teacher Induction Holiday Celebration

Mr. Byran Coburn, 2009-2010 State Teacher of the Year, spoke with induction teachers in Williamsburg County School District during the Teacher Induction Holiday Celebration at Brown's Barbeque on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. 

Mr. Coburn shared with new teachers the importance of teacher effectiveness and preparation, and its direct effect on student achievement. During his humorous, but very informative presentation, he shared that teachers must have a love for the profession, and never underestimate their worth as educators. He stated that teachers have energy and interest in meeting the needs of all students.

Mr. Coburn, a pre-engineering, computer programming and business teacher at Northwestern high School, Rock Hill, SC, has nineteen years of teaching experience. He believes that learning must be relevant, and that for each student in his class, he must find that piece of relational knowledge that helps them to discover, and master challenging topics. His many years of experience have also taught him that it is important to stretch the walls of his classroom into the lives of his students.

"We have a phenomenal group of first year teachers in Williamsburg County School District. Mr. Coburn validated each of them, and assured them that they will enjoy their career as teachers," said Mrs. Paige Brown, Coordinator of Mentoring/Adept.

Mrs. Linda Huell, Interim Superintendent, provided greetings for this celebration, and Ms. Stephanie Bradley, a first year teacher at Greeleyville Elementary School was also a program participant.

Mrs. Paige Brown provides training and mentoring to first-year teachers within Williamsburg County School District.

This article was submitted by Ms. Bonnie King, Director of Public Relations

Mrs. Linda Huell, Interim Superintendent, paused briefly to pose with Mr. Coburn, 2009-2010 State Teacher of the Year.

District Administrator and Teacher Present at State Conference

The Seventh Annual Formative Assessment Conference presented by the South Carolina MAP Foundation was held on November 19-20, 2009, at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC. This year's theme was Focusing on Learning: How Formative Assessment Empowers Teachers.

Ms. Angela McClary-Rush, Williamsburg County School District English Language Arts Coordinator and Mrs. Barbara Giles, C. E. Murray High School English Department Chairperson, presented workshops entitled Making Connections: Engaging Students of Poverty in Standards-Based Instruction.  

With over 150 people in attendance during both sessions, presenters shared strategies that teachers will be able to use to effectively create assessments that will assist students in learning SC English Language Arts Standards indicators. During the presentation, teachers discussed the importance of understanding the Bloom's Revised Verbs, student engagement, and the process for creating questions. Presenters also noted that teachers must know how to teach the "verbs", of the standards, and how to write assessment items that align to those "verbs" in a manner that allows students to be truly engaged in learning, and understand standards-based instruction.  The presentation was engaging, and presenters received excellent feedback.

Teachers in the English Department at C. E. Murray High School have been studying the effects of teacher created formative assessments on student achievement since 2003: These teachers have been able to target specific instruction, and assess data of student performance on formative assessments. Teachers were also able to see positive improvements among their students in the areas of reading and writing, as noted in marked gains on the HSAP Assessment.  

The SC MAP Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing the instructional growth of all students within the State of South Carolina, and throughout the nation.  

Several experts in the field of formative assessments were keynote speakers at the conference: Dr. Thomas R. Guskey , Mr. Matt Chapman , and Dr. Anne Davies .    

Several teachers and district staff members attended this year's conference.

District Administrator Immerse Teachers in Literacy-Based Instructional Strategies

The WCSD Instructional Services Department will engage all English Language Arts (ELA) teachers in literacy-based professional development sessions over the next three years. ELA teachers in grades 6-8 will participate in the first phase of this initiative. These teachers will be immersed in targeted, ongoing sessions that will improve instruction. This year's theme for phase 1 is Independent Reading and Engaging Students in Reading Strategies at the Middle School Level.

"Our goal is to initiate a different phase of teachers over the next three years, and eventually include all teachers in the district who teach a tested grade," Ms. Angela McClary-Rush shared.  Phase 2 will include teachers in grades 3-5, and Phase 3 will include students in grades 9-12. 

The overarching goal of this initiative is to ensure that each school is literacy rich: Schools are also expected to incorporate independent reading and best practices into the teaching of reading at all levels.

Each 6-8 grade classroom will have reader and age appropriate classroom libraries, trade books that match the students' interests and professional learning texts that align with teachers' strengths and preference.

The focus of the professional development sessions will be independent reading and writing. Under the umbrella of these literacy topics, teachers will also give attention to matching each reader with text, conferring with readers and writers, incorporating literature discussion groups, and following particular structures of reading/writing workshop models.

Ms. Angela McClary-Rush, District ELA Coordinator, is spearheading this initiative.
Ms. McClary-Rush has worked as literacy coach through the South Carolina Department of Education's, South Carolina Reading Initiative (SCRI)-Middle Grades at C. E. Murray Junior/Senior High School for two years. During this time, she saw huge gains among middle grade students using the model that the state embraces. After the first year of implementation, C. E. Murray Junior High saw huge gains in its ELA Reading and Writing scores, and the junior high school met AYP, as well.

The Mission of the Williamsburg County School District, in partnership with home and community, is to strive for excellence and to provide all students with a quality education by utilizing an innovative curriculum, relevant resources, and highly qualified staff.