Celebrating and Supporting Spartanburg’s Educators
American Education Week is observed across the nation the week leading up to Thanksgiving. November 15-19 presents Spartanburg an opportunity to celebrate and honor the dedicated individuals working on behalf of our children. I can think of no better time to show our collective appreciation. SAM joins our community in celebrating our nearly 6,000 educators, school staff, and board trustees.
This pandemic has disrupted our community unlike any event in recent history. Newly released achievement results highlight a further widening of gaps for children across learning outcomes. Data from the fall administration of the Early Development Instrument showed less than half (49%) of this year’s kindergarteners demonstrating readiness for school. Reading scores declined across all grades, with math achievement showing the greatest regressions. Graduation rates held steady at 88%, but the gap between students in poverty and those who are not widened by 14%. Predictions of a “COVID slide” came to fruition.
It is clear our community-level support systems were neither strong enough or prepared to meet the challenges of school closures and entry into the world of virtual education. From the scramble to find solutions for areas with limited to no Internet access to support for families struggling to maintain employment and care for children at home – the challenges were immense. However, learning did continue, teachers worked harder than ever, schools pivoted, and classes opened this fall with in-person learning.
SAM’s vision remains – Economic Mobility, anchored in academic achievement, county-wide, cradle through career, and our work is critical to meeting this vision. Last fall, SAM was one of fourteen organizations nationwide to receive a $5.6 million investment from Blue Meridian Partners. This investment has aided SAM in leading an equitable recovery and scaling our work.
We have allocated $1.6 million in rapid grants to 33 organizations supporting our youth. We launched our Center for Resilient Schools and Communities with a focus on addressing the emotional and mental well-being of our children and families. And, we have doubled-down our efforts towards our community’s 40/30 challenge in an effort to increase the number of certifications, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees across the county. Spartanburg Community College’s tuition-free initiative has realized some early wins, and the governor’s recent Workforce Scholarships (free tuition) announcement further affirms the importance of a highly educated citizenry.
In 2008 this community set a bold vision that Spartanburg would become the best educated county in the state with a national reputation for commitment to educational achievement. We are on the right track, but work remains. Aligning the many collaborative impact efforts currently underway is central to closing these gaps. Collectively, we can build a brighter future through further alignment of our time, talent, and resources.
Education philosopher, John Dewey once said,
"WHAT THE BEST AND WISEST PARENT WANTS FOR HIS CHILD, THAT MUST WE WANT FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE COMMUNITY. ANYTHING LESS IS UNLOVELY, AND LEFT UNCHECKED, DESTROYS OUR DEMOCRACY.”
Our teachers embody this sentiment, but they cannot and should not do it alone. Yes, the pandemic exposed a number of gaps, but it also brought to light the critical role our educators play each day. As we build a community infrastructure in support of our children, let us honor our dedicated teachers by serving as an extension of their daily efforts. In some way, each of us have witnessed the heart and soul our teachers pour into their students. Collectively, we can seize every opportunity to thank them by coming aligning our efforts. Thank an educator, and join the movement!
Russell Booker
Executive Director
Spartanburg Academic Movement