BY  KAREN PACK
karen@cerra.org

Teacher Cadets instructors met at USC-Aiken on August 10, to plan for the upcoming year.  Dr. Timothy Lintner surprised the instructors with a few goodies to kick off the year. Thank you to Dr. Lintner and the entire USC-Aiken community for embracing the Teacher Cadets program. We appreciate your support as a College Partner!

BY  KAREN PACK
karen@cerra.org

It is heartwarming to read this reflection from one of Ms. Anne Ledford's former students at Fort Mill High School. Congratulations, Ms. Ledford, CERRA is so proud of your contributions to the teaching profession!

The following is Sarah Foster's reflection of how Ms. Ledford played a pivotal role in shaping who she is today. Sarah serves as a School Counselor at North Central Middle School in Kershaw County.

I have literal tears of excitement in my eyes for Ms. Anne Ledford this morning!

I have known Ms. Ledford my entire life, as she worked closely with both of my parents. I grew up running around her house at Christmas parties and other events that she regularly hosted for her coworkers and their families. I listened to her brag on her Teacher Cadets and always knew I wanted to be one of them. I sat with her most Friday nights through elementary school as we would sell football tickets at the visitor’s gate, and would hear stories of her classes and watch as so many former students came to hug her and thank her. The impact she had on her students and her love of her job is one of the main reasons I grew up wanting to be a teacher (don’t tell my parents!).

As I entered high school, I was fortunate enough to have her as my Pre-calculus teacher and she (along with Mrs. Dockery) helped me realize I wanted to teach math (which didn’t pan out but was a good stepping stone), as I watched her make the subject interesting and more importantly listen to and mentor all of us students. She was ALWAYS there when you needed to vent, or cry, or celebrate! Senior year I finally got to be one of the long awaited Teacher Cadets and I learned so much about education, but also myself in that class. She’s also the one that spoke to be about the Teaching Fellows program, which not only gave me scholarship money, but helped me decide on my college and led me to make lifelong friends and mentors.

As I started my education program, she was the teacher I thought about when they would say to think of a great teacher. She helped me decide to switch from elementary to middle level (probably the best choice of my life) and without knowing it shaped my educational philosophy. Even now, as I work with my students, I often think about the impact she had on me and my classmates, and strive to create those same relationships.

There is no teacher that is more deserving to be granted an opportunity like this and to be able to fulfill such a big dream! Ms. Ledford, thank you SO MUCH for all you’ve done for me and all you continue to do for your students every day! I hope you have a blast on your trip! Love you!

Ms. Ledford is one of the Fort Mill School District's treasures. This video from FMHS is one you won't want to miss!​

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