DiscussED
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TFASC’s Second Annual DiscussED

Transforming the Teacher’s Experience

Monday, February 27, 2023 | 12-2:30 p.m. | Virtual

As we emerge from the pandemic, which exposed deep inequities and dated pedagogical practices in education, South Carolina’s public schools are facing worsening teacher shortages. Retaining high-quality educators is most urgent in South Carolina schools serving high concentrations of low-income students and students of color. If a classroom doesn’t have a teacher, schools often turn to long-term substitutes, cutting courses, or larger class sizes – putting students at risk of not attaining the excellent education they deserve.

While the South Carolina Legislature recently approved a four percent pay raise for all teachers, excessive paperwork, a “teach to the test” mentality, and an overall lack of respect for the teaching profession are among the factors driving the teacher exodus according to The Post and Courier. 

During TFASC’s Second Annual DiscussED, “Transforming the Teacher’s Experience,” we will explore the transformation of the teacher’s experience to retain more high-quality educators in South Carolina. What if teachers, district administrators, policy leaders, community advocates, and business leaders came together to propose a plan for transforming the teaching profession? What would change if South Carolina’s education stakeholders rallied together to advocate for the teaching profession and, ultimately, students?

“DiscussED is a bold endeavor to push the boundaries in education for our children. If our vision is that every child deserves a great education, then we must have these conversations. It is my hope that these conversations become strategic plans.”

Kimberly Sutton Mason »
Principal, Rosenwald
Elementary and Middle School

Sergio Arroyos Tulsa
Krystal Hardy

Program*

*Additional panelists will be confirmed in the weeks ahead.  

Welcome Remarks

Courtney Waters
Interim Executive Director, TFASC 

Opening Panel: 
The Teaching Experience: What Does the Research Tell Us? 

Moderator:
Courtney Waters

Panelists:
Barnett Berry
Research Professor, University of South Carolina

Jenna Hallman
Executive Director, Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA)

Opening Panel: The Teacher Experience: Perspectives from the Classroom

Panelists:
Deion Jamison
2023 South Carolina Teacher of the Year 

Lesley Snyder
Recipient, Milken Educator Award

Breakout Discussion Groups
DiscussED Participants 

Initial Discussion Group Questions:

  • What is the ideal work environment for teachers?
  • How do we improve the teacher’s experience in South Carolina?
  • Which policy recommendations could be implemented in the next 1-2 years to advocate for the teaching profession and, ultimately, students?

Closing Remarks
Courtney Waters

Recruiting High-Quality Teachers

Interested in attending?

We are inviting corporate, education, legislative, and nonprofit leaders as well as teachers who can offer diverse perspectives about transforming the teacher’s experience in South Carolina. If you are interested in contributing to this discussion, please contact Sarah Ann Snipes at sarahann.snipes@teachforamerica.org.

Interested in sponsoring?

Through the generous support of our sponsors, we will be able to host this critical discussion that seeks to support teachers and help end educational inequity in South Carolina. Please contact Karl Brady at karl.brady@teachforamerica.org to learn more about becoming a sponsor.

Publications

We will publish a white paper summarizing the actionable ideas from DiscussED participants during Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2023.
Read the white paper from our inaugural DiscussED, “The Future of Education: 2040 and Beyond.”
2022 DiscussED White Paper

This white paper, “The Future of Education: 2040 and Beyond,” summarizes key ideas and actions from our inaugural DiscussED forum to help solve the educational issues of today and tomorrow.
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About the DiscussED Series

Hosted by TFASC, DiscussED is a bold conversation series to reimagine South Carolina’s education system. The annual forum convenes diverse perspectives from corporate, education, legislative, and nonprofit leaders to generate more innovative solutions than ideas from the education sector. Each year, DiscussED will focus on a different theme that is rooted in educational excellence and equity.

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