School Briefs - February 22, 2018
NEW BCSD CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER TARGETING INCLUSION, MULTICULTURALISM
Dr. Glenda Levine is settling in to her new role as chief diversity officer for the Berkeley County School District (BCSD). She was appointed to the post at the November 14, 2017 Berkeley County School Board meeting.
Although the chief diversity office position is new to the district, Levine is certainly not a new face to BCSD. She has worked in the district for over 20 years in various capacities – teacher, teacher evaluator, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary schools and most recently as the chief human resource officer. When asked about her new role, Levine indicated that she is excited about the potential the office of diversity has for improving the district.
According to Levine, one of the first discussions she had with Superintendent Eddie Ingram was about the need for greater diversity in staffing across all BCSD departments and schools.
“It is important for all voices to be heard across the school district and for stakeholders to see that intentional efforts are being made to address challenges and opportunities for growth related to diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion,” stated Levine. “…(Dr. Ingram) realized very quickly that our staff and student populations do not mirror each other…I believe having greater diversity across the district will add to the district’s strengths.”
Dr. Levine has served as the chief diversity officer for just over two months now and will be working with stakeholder groups to gather feedback about what they view as the diversity needs of the school district. She is passionate about the work that will be accomplished in her new role, passion that she has demonstrated in over two decades of service to the families and students of BCSD, stated a press release.
BCSD ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR ROOKIE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Schools in the Berkeley County School District have selected their Rookie Teachers of the Year (RTOY). Included on the list are three teachers from local schools – Madison Phillips of Philip Simmons High School, Isabel Raisbeck of Hanahan High School, and Ashley Cox of Hanahan Middle School. These teachers, along with the other 25 nominees will be considered for district RTOY.
Nominees for the designation, all first year teachers, are submitted by school principals based on the following criteria:
• Conducting effective instructional planning to meet the needs of all students;
• Providing and facilitating quality instruction;
• Organizing and implementing a culture of learning in the classroom;
• Managing student behavior and classroom events;
• Developing effective relationships with students, parents/guardians and peers;
• Modeling professional demeanor and behavior;
• Serving as an advocate for students and public education as a whole.
A committee of school, teacher and business leaders will select three finalists from the list to interview for district Rookie Teacher of the Year. Finalists will be selected by March 30, and all school-level Rookie Teachers of the Year, as well as the three finalists, will be recognized at the final PRIDE Celebration in May. The district winner will also will be announced during the celebration.