Fellows in Education Program Luncheon
By: Rebecca Cross, Morning News
“FLORENCE, S.C. – Twenty-three community and business leaders received certificates for completing the Fellows in Education Program during a luncheon at the Florence Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.
The program was designed to give leaders a behind-the-scenes look into Florence School District One (FSD1) schools and is a joint program between FSD1, The School Foundation and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.
During the program, participants met eight times to tour schools and learn about student needs and the state and federal requirements placed on schools, teachers and administrators in FSD1.
Michele Pridgen, Assistant Manager of Administration at Honda of South Carolina, said that bringing together leaders from a variety of backgrounds contributed to the program’s effectiveness in the community.
“Developing an eclectic group in the program is really ingenious,” Pridgen said. “It allows you to go back to your perspective company and to represent what is going on in the education scene.”
Katie Wilcox who works in marketing and business development at Pee Dee Electric Cooperative said that she grew up attending FSD1 schools, but participating in the Fellows in Education Program positively exposed her to new schools and people.
“I was very impressed with the curriculum that they are teaching to the elementary kids,” Wilcox said. “Also, the teachers are doing the best they can with what they have.”
To commemorate the completion of the program, participants received a framed certificate as they were congratulated by FSD1 Superintendent Dr. Randy Bridges, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce President Michael Miller and The School Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hyler.”
