CarolinaCAP Summer Experience 2023

CarolinaCAP convenes annual Summer Experience: Celebrate! Innovate! Collaborate!

The Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (CarolinaCAP) hosted its second Summer Experience on July 17 at Irmo High School in Columbia. The event is a yearly opportunity for pathway candidates to learn and share with other candidates, CarolinaCAP coaches, district leadership and CarolinaCAP team members and advocates.

Attendees enjoyed opportunities to network, learn from professional development sessions led by South Carolina education leaders and hear words of inspiration from dynamic guest speakers. The day also included a recruitment fair to allow representatives from partnering South Carolina school districts to meet pathway participants and prospective applicants looking for future teaching positions.

“This year, participants celebrated a successful year serving South Carolina students and their professional growth, innovated through engaging learning sessions and collaborated with other dedicated, passionate educators across the state,” CarolinaCAP Director Tria Grant said. “The Summer Experience is a time for celebration, rejuvenation, and reflection for everyone.”

During the afternoon sessions, two vibrant guest speakers addressed the group to share stories of motivation and experience.

CarolinaCAP Course Instructor and education consultant Beth White encouraged attendees to continue to embrace learning by constantly asking questions.

“Effective teachers always, always, always ask questions,” White said. “An effective teacher who inquires creates students who inquire, which helps them in their college years and beyond. When you inquire, you don’t have to go at it alone — find your people and collaborate.”

2023 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Deion Jamison shared the story of his journey into the teaching profession from his days as a student in Orangeburg County along the I-95 corridor and encouraged teachers – current and future – to give all students in the state opportunities to succeed.

“Our students shouldn’t have to be lucky in order to receive access to excellent education,” Jamison said. “As educators, we are the gatekeepers and providers of opportunity.”

The day was capped off with a celebration of the pathway’s 13 new CarolinaCAP teachers, the first cohort to complete the journey from enrollment to certification as qualified teachers.

“Our CarolinaCAP teachers have successfully completed coursework, pursued and earned micro-credentials, participated in virtual learning communities and worked with coaches to improve their craft, all while gaining practical experience by serving as the teacher of record in their classrooms,” USC College of Education Assistant Dean for Professional Partnerships Cindy Van Buren said.

According to CarolinaCAP Course Coordinator and event director Chris Burkett, the learning opportunities began with high-caliber professional development sessions related to teaching and learning, high-impact practices, coaching, co-teaching, family and community engagement, and wellness/well-being.

“The professional development offered during the summer experience equipped CarolinaCAP participants with additional knowledge and skills that they can take back to their individual classrooms and schools this fall to further engage their students, thus maximizing the learning experience for all,” Burkett said.

CarolinaCAP is kicking off its newest cohort this month with a record 70-plus new teacher candidates and is working every day to address the South Carolina teacher shortage head-on by recruiting, preparing, and retaining teachers in the highest-need areas of our state. To learn more about becoming a certified teacher in South Carolina through the CarolinaCAP pathway, please visit CarolinaCAP.org.

Carla Barnwell
Denmark-Olar Elementary School
Bamberg County School District

Amanda Bias
Denmark-Olar Elementary
Bamberg County School District

Brittany Bridges
Clio Elementary School
Marlboro County School District

Brandi Brigman
Clio Elementary School
Marlboro County School District

Rashard Burrows
W.M. Anderson Primary School
Williamsburg County School District

Brittany Caniglia
Williston-Elko Middle School
Barnwell County Consolidated School District

Jarvis David
Spaulding Middle School
Darlington County School District

Alisha Harley
Clio Elementary School
Marlboro County School District

Allison Mack
Logan Elementary School
Richland County School District One

Lakecia Murray
Wallace Elementary Middle School
Marlboro County School District

Adadra Neville
Williston-Elko Middle School
Barnwell County Consolidated School District

Suzhanna Reeves
Barnwell Elementary
Barnwell County School District 45

Ronnica Young
Wallace Elementary Middle School
Marlboro County School District