ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - The Rock Hill School District recently recognized Winthrop University’s Jim and Sue Rex Institute for Educational Renewal with the 2020 Outstanding Partner Award for its assistance in helping a local elementary school with its lack of space.
For years The Rex Institute has worked with Rock Hill Schools in teacher preparation and professional development programs, awarding grants to teachers and schools to implement innovative and unique ideas, and providing on-going professional learning opportunities to area teachers and administrators.
For the 2019 and 2020 school years, The Rex Institute added another element of support to Ebenezer Avenue Elementary School, and that was space. As enrollment has soared over the past three years, the school could no longer host special events and performances in its cafeteria or on its tiny stage.
By working with representatives of The Rex Institute such as Administrative Assistant Jamie Larsen, the school was able to host student performances and promotion ceremonies in auditoriums and venues on the Winthrop campus before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. School administrators are grateful for The Rex Institute’s help and recently recognized the institute with the partnership award at a September Rock Hill School board work session.
Following the virtual award presentation broadcast, the video was added to the district’s website. The video is located under the School Board section of the webpage for the Sept. 14 work session.
Lisa Johnson, senior associate to the dean for the Richard W. Riley College of Education and former Rex Institute director, said the university’s partnership with Ebenezer Avenue has been good for all.
“This award represents the benefits of a true school-university partnership,” said Johnson. “We are grateful to have Ebenezer Avenue Elementary as a collaborate partner for our teacher education program and humbled that they recognized the Rex Institute for this award.”
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
