Septima Speaks

Holly Stuart, an eighth grade science teacher from Sullivan Middle School speaks on the unique offerings of her school located in Rock Hill, which has an IB program and dual language immersion program. She discusses the diversity of her school and how the transient nature of a lot of their student population effects their ability to engage with families. She reflects specifically on school during the time of COVID-19 and how it 'tore the roof off' the issues of equity such as the lack of internet accessibility. She learned that once families realized she was reaching out, not to hone in on the content of what she was teaching but instead genuinely check in on how the kids were doing, which played a huge role in building school-family partnerships. Ms. Stuart suggests educational resources for teachers such as accomplished K-12 educator and administrator Dr. Sheldon L. Eakins, and Virtual Parent Camp https://www.parentcamp.org/.

University of South Carolina junior Nakia McCloud reflects on pivotal moments throughout his educational experience. From Spartanburg, SC, Nakia talks about the richness of his community and what he learned from seeing an older sibling pursuing college to guidance counselors encouraging him to also consider college as a next step. The notion of 'it takes a village' is realized through Nakia's story, particularly being a first-generation student, he recognized the need to see other first-generation students making a path towards college. He stresses the importance of educators embracing the diversity of their students by addressing their unique needs.