By rssfeeds-admin 
She addressed the recent statewide cell phone ban in schools, with the goal to help students focus better in the classroom.
“Human connection is absolutely critical. We saw during COVID that isolation was not good for our students, so I truly believe that face to face friendships—as old fashioned as that may sound—is the most important thing we can do,” said Weaver.
She also talked about the state’s plan to address teacher retention.
Since 2018, teacher’s minimum salaries have increased by 52%.
Last year, the general assembly passed a law to allow paid parental leave.
She says the next step is to create environments where teachers can feel safe and comfortable teaching.
“As great as it is to be well paid—and they certainly deserve to be well paid—it’s really the school climate and culture that is driving them out of the classroom. Student discipline is a huge issue,” Weaver said. “I’m proud to see the steps South Carolina is taking and will continue to take to give our teachers the respect and professionalism they deserve.”
But, she also highlighted the success with all schools in McCormick County.
The school district has the highest growth in literacy scores in the state, and school leaders credit the hard work of teachers, and the safe environment they’re creating with metal detectors and a clear backpack policy they announced two months ago.
“It’s helping our students to of course be safe, and be more organized as well. It’s been a win for everyone, and the parents have been very supportive as well,” said Dr. Jaime Hembree, superintendent for the school district.
The school district also has the 3rd highest growth in math scores in the state—something the state superintendent credits to the teachers and staff working together.
“It really starts with the teachers inside the classroom. We have teachers who are so committed to our students and community, and they are also building valuable relationships. Once that relationship is there, students are taking off in the classroom,” Hembree said.
“The word that kept coming up over and over was family and team. It feels like a family, we’re part of a team. The results aren’t just about the work that I did as an individual teacher, they’re about the entire team and how we work together. So, that’s what’s impressed me the most about what I’ve seen in McCormick today,” Weaver said.
Weaver says rural communities around the state, like McCormick, are full of potential.
“There is hope, hard work, and excellence that lives in our rural communities,” said Weaver. “There is so much growth and opportunity and potential in our rural communities, and to be able to elevate and celebrate that is truly one of the greatest joys of this job.”
It’s the state’s goal to get 75% of students in schools across South Carolina at or above grade level proficiency by 2030.
Discover more from RSS Feeds Cloud
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.