At the Feb. 15 dinner in the DiGiorgio Campus Center, eight teachers were cited for
their work and given a financial reward. The 2018 Jessie Williams Little "Leading the Way" Award recipient is Shawna Simmons,
who works at Jessie Bobo Elementary in Spartanburg School District 6.The second-grade
teacher will receive $2,500 and took home a banner to display at her school.
Jessie Little, from left, Shawna Simmons
and Dawn Mitchell
Jessie Little Award nominees
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Educators gathered Feb. 15 at Winthrop University to celebrate
the first class of teachers nominated for the Jessie Williams Little "Leading the Way" Award. The award recognizes a South Carolina educator who has made a significant impact
as a mentor to future or beginning teachers.
Nominations poured in from across South Carolina for public school teachers who stand
out for their guidance. At the Feb. 15 dinner in the DiGiorgio Campus Center, eight
teachers were cited for their work and given a financial reward.
Lisa Johnson, director of the James and Susan Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnership in Winthrop's Richard W. Riley College of Education, said that those in the field
know that teaching is not an isolated event.
"It takes someone to spark the fire, someone to kindle the flame, and someone to keep
it lit," Johnson said. "Whether a Teacher Cadet instructor, a mentor to college students
learning to teach for the first time or beginning teacher mentors, these are the positive
role models on which we hang the hope of recruiting and keeping the best and the brightest
in education."
The 2018 Jessie Williams Little "Leading the Way" Award recipient is Shawna Simmons, who works at Jessie Bobo Elementary in Spartanburg School District 6.The second-grade
teacher will receive $2,500 and took home a banner to display at her school.
Simmons has mentored 10 new teachers in her 14-year career who cover a wide range
of subject areas. All but one is still teaching.
"Shawna speaks fluent Spanish, and in addition to her mentoring duties, she also serves
as the school's unofficial translator. She has interpreted for all grade levels, special
areas, secretary, resource, speech, nurse and administration," said Dawn Mitchell,
who nominated Simmons. "She translates conferences, calls and written documents for
her own class, for her mentees, and for anyone in the school. This is a huge impact
Shawna has in influencing the local community through bridging a language barrier
gap."
Those selected as finalists and awarded $1,000 were:
Jerry Honeycutt, physical education teacher, Indian Land High School in Lancaster County School District
who has more than 20 years in the field. "He has worked with various socioeconomic
groups during his career and as a former intern, I was able to see first-hand what
it takes to be a great educator," said nominator Allyse Boone.
Kevin Sorenson, social studies teacher, St. George Middle School in Dorchester School District 4.
"I learned a lot from my mentor teacher because his teaching does not end in the classroom.
He involves parents in his work thereby involving the entire community in educating
the students and also educating the community," said nominator Jude Chea.
Kimberly Pyles, special education teacher, Indian Land High School in Lancaster County School District.
"From ensuring that I understood the correct way to write, submit, and implement IEPs,
to making sure that I maintained a positive work-life balance, Kimberly has sacrificed
her own time, both in and out of school, to ensure that I was successful in all of
my endeavors," said nominator Gina Bennett-Roche "Kimberly is the reason that I have
succeeded and remained in the profession."
Chosen as semifinalists and given $500 were:
Mary Lou Pundt ˜89, third-grade teacher, Ebinport Elementary School in Rock Hill School District 3.
"Educational policies will come and go, but Ms. Pundt taught me that my heart for
teaching and my heart for making a difference in the lives of children is what must
be the foundation of my career as an educator," said nominator Jenna Guthrie.
Marc Camp, physical education teacher, Limestone Central Elementary School in Gaffney County
School District. "Mr. Camp is the person with whom I want to place my practicum and
clinical students," said nominator Cindy Cavanaugh.
Nicole Bishop, first-grade teacher at Irmo Elementary, Richland and Lexington counties. "Nicole
truly has no end to her giving nature and desire to grow learners of all ages," said
her nominator Tina McCaskill. "She is an award-winning educator who endlessly serves
others."
Carol Weaver '92, ˜97, English teacher and Teacher Cadet Instructor at Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill
School District 3. "As one of the first teachers herself to go through the Teacher
Cadet program, Ms. Weaver knows the importance of sparking that interest early and
giving much needed ˜direction to many aspiring teachers,'" said her principal and
nominator Ozzie Ahl.
Also attending the Feb. 15 event were Jessie '73 and John Little '02.
Jessie Little, who grew up around the Winthrop campus and was one of five family members
to attend, retired from the university in 2005 after many years. Others in attendance
were donors who gave money to help fund the gifts to the teachers.
Sue Smith-Rex, a retired faculty member, former member of the Winthrop Board of Trustees and a
namesake for the Institute along with her husband, Jim, urged other education supporters
to donate to the award.
For more information including how to provide financial support to the "Leading the
Way" initiative, contact Lisa Johnson, director of the Rex Institute, at johnsonle@winthrop.edu.
