Twelve years ago, I made the difficult decision to leave a nearby school district to teach in Newberry County.
It was a personal decision because I was leaving the school I attended as a child in a highly accomplished district. Many schools have been recognized with prestigious awards, such as Palmetto’s Finest, train nationally ranked academic and athletic teams, and offer supplemental programs to all grade levels. In addition, the elementary schools provide magnet programs, foreign languages, pull-out gifted and talented classes, and in-house special services such as physical therapy and occupational therapy.
What made my decision difficult was moving my child from a school that offered these services to one that I naively believed did not.
Now that my son is 21, I often reflect on his time as a student in Newberry County. There was no need for worry.
My son’s teachers at Little Mountain Elementary loved him for the person he is — quiet, smart, and kind. They found ways to challenge his gifts in reading and writing and supported him as he grew to love math. When the stress of middle school became overwhelming at Mid-Carolina Middle, his teachers reassured him, supported his special needs, and continued to challenge him to reach his full potential. And as he advanced through Mid-Carolina High School, he continued to excel academically, receiving credit for many AP courses that transferred as course credit when he started college. He graduated in the top 5% of his class as a Palmetto Fellow, received numerous scholarship offers throughout the state, and has continued his success throughout college. He is now a senior in the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, majoring in accounting.
I recently asked my son what he liked most about attending school in Newberry County. He shared that his favorite grade was seventh grade because his teachers were nice. In high school, he enjoyed being in classes with peers with similar interests and academic goals. He also liked the size of his schools and felt prepared for the future when he graduated.
His opinion of school was not based on test scores, report card ratings, sports records, or special events. It was important to him that he felt safe, valued, and could learn in a clean, respectful environment.
Beginning in kindergarten, teachers in South Carolina are guided by the “Profile of the South Carolina Graduate” principles to prepare our students for life after graduation. Although the School District of Newberry County may not have magnet schools, language immersion programs, and specialized state-of-the-art facilities, students who attend school in Newberry County are well-prepared for college when they graduate. All students receive the special services they need through contracted services if the SDNC does not provide them. Gifted and talented students are served through enrichment by trained educators in each elementary school. Though foreign language is not a part of our elementary school curriculum, our diverse community offers opportunities for students to learn about other cultures.
As part of the education team of Newberry County, I know the teachers within our district are highly trained. We have numerous opportunities yearly to further our education through professional development workshops, conferences, and specialized training. We receive ongoing support through mentors and instructional coaches, access to up-to-date technology, and the instructional resources and materials we need to do our job. Our administrators and district leaders are approachable, resourceful, and supportive as we strive as a team to guide our students toward their full potential. Our district is also fortunate to have a strong relationship with Newberry College as we grow, train, and employ new teachers within our school system.
Parents want only the best for their children. We often use social media, word of mouth, and state report cards to compare teachers, schools, and districts. These resources provide a snapshot into our schools and the future of our communities, and as taxpayers and investors in the community, we want the best education outcomes for our students.
The world of an educator and parent intertwine when a public school teacher has school-aged children.
You must experience things firsthand to truly appreciate the benefits and challenges of varied learning experiences. As a parent who is an educator, I sometimes must release control, responsibility, and outcomes to others. I believe teachers and parents want the very best for their students and children, and both must have faith that others will love and respect their children as much as they do. Considering all these factors as a parent and educator, I would not change my decision to let my son attend school in Newberry County.
Does Newberry offer a well-rounded education that challenges students’ strengths, prepares them for life after graduation, and nurtures them socially and emotionally in our ever-changing world? As a teacher in Newberry County and the parent of a child who attended Newberry schools, I am proud to answer, “Yes, we do!”
Christie Allison is a third-grade teacher at Reuben Elementary School in Newberry, South Carolina. Since graduating from the University of South Carolina (1994), Ms. Allison earned a Master’s in Elementary Education from Catawba College (2000) and became a National Board Certified Teacher (2012). Ms. Allison has worked as a classroom teacher in public schools for over 25 years.