SPEARMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AT WORK®
**In July 2023, Spearman Elementary School was designated as a “Model PLC at Work” school by Solution Tree.**
**Spearman Elementary School became the second elementary school in Anderson One to receive this designation.**
Piedmont, SC 7/23 — Spearman Elementary School in Anderson School District One was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students.
PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:
1. Focus on learning.
2. Build a collaborative culture.
3. Create a results orientation.
Responding to news of the recognition, Principal Jason Lesley said, “I am so proud of our teachers and staff at Spearman Elementary for their dedication and hard work to ensure all students learn at high levels. Their commitment to the PLC process allows us to collaborate effectively, share best practices and continuously improve our teaching and learning. We are grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to continue our work as a Model PLC School.”
Anderson One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker added, “On behalf of our Board of Trustees and District Administration, we are very proud of Spearman Elementary for this achievement. We continue to see results that indicate when teachers work in collaborative teams and take responsibility for all students that their students learn at high levels. This approach encourages teachers to help each other and teach students in the most effective ways possible.”
Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.
According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”
Recognized model PLC schools are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than twenty years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.
For more information, please contact:
Name: Dr. Jeff Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Instruction
Email:wilsonj@apps.anderson1.org
Hurricane Teacher Assistants Needed
Please contact us for more information
Come join our Hurricane Team!
Welcome back students to a wonderful 2023 - 2024 school year!
Anderson One Announces District Teacher of the Year
Anderson School District One announced Braden Wilson, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School as the District Teacher of the Year. Each of the District’s 14 schools selects a Teacher of the Year who becomes eligible to become the District Teacher of the Year. Three finalists are chosen from the initial 14, and one winner is announced at the District’s Opening Session meeting, which was held on Friday, July 28th at Palmetto Middle School. The other two finalists were Matthew Gregory, Cedar Grove Elementary, and Julia Clardy, Palmetto Elementary.
Along with the award, the District Teacher of the Year receives a $2000 check from Upstate Federal Credit. This year Hannah Powell from Upstate Federal Credit Union presented the check to Wilson. Additionally, Your Hometown Lawyer, Attorney Jason Porter, presented Wilson with an all-expenses paid weekend at the Grove Park Inn, a $3000 value. Porter attended the opening session to present this certificate and congratulate Wilson personally.
Upon receiving the award, Wilson said, “Anderson School District One is filled to the brim with some of the most passionate and talented educators in the nation. I'm privileged to get to learn from them every day in the classroom, and thankful that the district always provides us with support to continue to do what is best for our students. I am truly humbled and immensely honored to represent them and the best district in the state, as teacher of the year.”
Wilson will serve as the leader of the Teacher of the Year Forum which meets regularly with Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. He had the following to add in regards to the award, “Last year our theme was ELEVATE everything we do in Anderson One to help our students achieve academic success. This year, as our schools continue to meet in collaborative teams as part of our commitment to Professional Learning Communities, we updated the theme to ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION. Upstate Federal Credit Union and Jason Porter have helped us ELEVATE how we celebrate and honor our best teachers. Through their generous sponsorship of District Teacher of the Year awards, they have helped recognize excellence in our District’s classrooms.”
In addition to the District Teacher of the Year, Anderson One presented awards for Induction Teacher of the Year. Induction Teachers are those teachers that have completed their first year of teaching. This year’s winner was Kelsey Smith from Wren Elementary School.
Anderson One also recognized the Support Staff of the Year. Support Staff are classified employees who work in schools who work in our schools to support our students. Stacey Wigington, the Job Coach from Wren High School, was this year’s winner. We congratulate all of our Teachers of the Year , Support Staff of the Year and our Induction Teacher of the Year. We wish Braden Wilson the best in the state competition.
As Anderson School District One welcomes back our 2023 - 2024 students tomorrow, we would like to remind our community to be careful as our buses will once again be hitting the road with precious cargo. Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe.
Come Join Our Powdersville Elementary Team!
Congratulations to Braden Wilson for being named the 22-23 Anderson School District One Teacher of the Year! Braden is an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School.
Congratulations to Wren High School for their recognition from South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association for winning the Carlisle Cup for SCHSL Class AAA. Dr. Kyle Whitfield, WHS Principal, and WHS Athletic Director, Stan Yarborough, were presented with an award at the July 25, 2023 Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting.
Apply now...
We love our custodians! Thank you for getting our schools ready for our students to come back. We appreciate each of you and everything you do for our schools!
Board of Trustees Meeting
July 25, 2023
6:00 PM
801 N. Hamilton Street
Williamston, SC 29697
We are now enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year. Don't miss out on this life-changing opportunity. Give us a call at 864-947-9311 before our first intake begins on August 14-16.
Healthy Connections Medicaid Information
Great Substitute Opportunity
Now hiring
You can make a difference in the life of an Anderson School District One student. Become a Mentor!
Join our team!
2023 - 2024 School Calendar
