SC 2008 Teacher Expo Attracts Over 1000 Potential Candidates

By: Connie LeGrand | News Channel 7
Published: June 02, 2008

A 2008 USC graduate, Nicole Colson is looking to put her early childhood education degree to use in the classroom. "It takes special people for the little ones, and I love the little ones,” says Colson.
A graduate of Dorman High School, Nicole would love to come home to Spartanburg District Six. Susan Hendrix, who interviewed Nicole for a position with the district, says Nicole is a top notch candidate “She is a good strong student academically, again, lots of experience working with children, and just so enthusiastic."
As Nicole continued on her job search at the annual teacher expo in Columbia, she passed up an interview with Spartanburg District 7, despite a $3000 signing bonus. That's the problem some districts and schools face.
Last year, the State's Palmetto Priority Schools program focused on sixteen schools in an effort to attract quality teachers and decrease turn-over rates at some of the state's highest poverty schools. Monetary incentives were among the initiatives. Superintendent Jim Rex says the program is working. "At this point last year, compared to this year, we have about half the vacancies that we had in these sixteen schools at this time, " according to Rex.
Whitlock Junior High in Spartanburg District 7 was one of the sixteen schools targeted by the intiative. This year the schools in need of only one math teacher. Dr. Thomas White, Superintendent of Spartanburg District 7 says, "Staffing was not a problem last summer at Whitlock because the number of students was reduced when some attendance lines were adjusted thus, fewer staff were needed. Whitlock has fared well with the "Focused School Renewal Plan" resulting from being a "priority" school. The principal, faculty and staff are optimistic and looking forward to getting back standardized test results, which will hopefully validate their hard work."
While the State still faces a teacher shortage, CERRA says critical need areas are in math, science and special education.
Nicole loves history, and says she would really love to teach third grade.” "There are two third grade positions open, so I’m excited."

To apply for SC teaching positions and check out qualifications: http://www.cerra.org/
South Caroline Department of Education: http://ed.sc.gov/

Special Homeownership Initiative offered to South Carolina Teachers :
South Carolina State Housing
1-800-432-5007 or (803) 896-9508
www.schousing.com