ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - The Richard W. Riley College of Education at Winthrop University presented the Jessie Williams Little “Leading the Way” Awards on April 20 during a ceremony held in Winthrop’s Tuttle Dining Room.
Educators from around the state gathered to see Ryan Norton, a self-contained special education teacher at Powdersville High School in Anderson School District 1, selected as the 2023 recipient of the Jessie Williams Little “Leading the Way” Award.
He received a banner to display at Powdersville High School and will receive $2,500. Nine other teachers were recognized as finalists or semifinalists.
The “Leading the Way” Award has been given annually since 2018 to recognize teachers who help uplift their profession by mentoring new and other teachers. It was created as a partnership between John and Jessie Williams Little ‘73 and the James and Susan Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnership, based at Winthrop. Additional financial contribution was provided this year by The Riley Institute at Furman University.
Bettie Parsons Barger, director of the James and Susan Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnership, said: “Whether a teacher cadet instructor, a mentor to college students learning to teach for the first time, beginning teacher mentors, or those teacher mentors who just naturally support anyone who needs it – these are the positive role models on which we hang the hope of recruiting and keeping the best and the brightest in education.”
Norton is one of those natural teachers. Amelia Scales, a colleague and former mentee, said she came in as Norton’s student-teacher during her senior year in college. “He was consistently challenging me and providing thorough feedback. He gave me a lot of responsibilities that challenged me to think differently on the best way to teach the content and reach each student’s needs,” Scales said.
Norton became her mentor during her first year of teaching and also guided the school’s team of first- and second-year teachers. “He did it all with constant encouragement, making everyone feel a part of the team and that he would listen to all their questions and concerns. Mr. Norton loves what he is doing. He is a huge advocate for the learning and teaching community,” Scales said.
Those selected as finalists and awarded $1,250 are:
*Saudah Collins, African Studies teacher, Jackson Creek Elementary School in Richland School District 2. Nominator Susi Long wrote: “For 25 years, I have watched and learned from Ms. Collins as she supports our preservice teachers. I have to say I have not seen another coaching teacher or adjunct instructor of preservice courses with the expertise, the confident yet loving demeanor, and the impact on our students as adept as Saudah Collins.”
*Renee Homad, fifth grade teacher, Lonnie B. Nelson Middle School in Richland County School District 2. Nominator Carol O’Connor observed: “Ms. Homad has an impact not only on her mentee but on her entire team and school community. Her approach is that sometimes the best thing that the mentor can do is listen to the mentee and provide guidance and advice in situations that may arise throughout the year.”
*Anne Ledford ’80, Teacher Cadet instructor, Fort Mill High School in York County School District 4. Nominator Ellen Borland wrote: “Ms. Ledford has a positive impact on every single person she comes into contact with, whether it is a future teacher, a current teacher or just someone she speaks to in passing. Ms. Ledford encapsulates what it means to be a teacher. She is a true servant to education.”
Chosen as semifinalists and given $1,000 are:
*Donna Fields ’93, music teacher, Hunter Street Elementary School in York School District 1. “As a mentor teacher, Mrs. Fields provides and inspires future music educators with real-life classroom experiences and works to develop quality and inspiring educators!” said nominator Paul Malina.
*Clea Graner, reading intervention teacher, Greenville Middle Academy in Greenville County School District. “As a team leader, Ms. Graner served as a catalyst for change as she worked with peers to foster a collaborative spirit by sharing teacher resources and strategies so that teachers were working productively together to improve student growth,” wrote nominator Jody Allison.
*Josh Gray ’22, Teacher Cadet instructor, Crescent High School in Anderson School District. “Mr. Gray has had a positive impact on many students' lives and has instilled the desire to teach in many young high schoolers over the past four years,” said Laura Beth Smith.
*Mary Leslie, third-grade teacher, Carolina Elementary in Darlington County School District. According to nominator Janice Kiser, “She provides strong, reliable mentorship that genuinely sets our students up for success. She is invested in the students, as well as the process.”
*Kristin Richardson, fifth-grade teacher, Lexington Elementary School in Lexington School District 1. Nominator Carolina Collins wrote, “As a mentor, Mrs. Richardson prepared me for what teaching is like, and all that goes into planning, assessing and teaching students.”
*Ashleen Teal, literacy coach, EP Todd School in Spartanburg School District 7. Nominator Victoria Bradley wrote, “Mrs. Teal's relationship with teachers is a key reason why teachers are staying at EP Todd. Her interest and care for them is genuine and it is evident.”
For more information, including how to provide financial support to the "Leading the Way" initiative, contact Bettie Parsons Barger, director of the Rex Institute, at bargerbp@winthrop.edu.
