Berkeley County Schools’ PRIDE Celebration and Rookie Teacher of the Year
May 19, 2015
MONCKS CORNER, SC – Berkeley County School District hosted its annual Program for Inducting Developing Educators (PRIDE) Celebration yesterday evening at Westview Middle School. The District celebrated all first-year teachers, honored school-level Rookie Teachers of the Year with certificates and announced Mackenzie Cruce as District Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Reflecting on her first year of teaching, Cruce said, “Sifting through all of the challenges and the breakthrough moments, my thoughts keep returning to one thing – relationships. I was determined to know my students this year, their hopes, their goals, their likes, dislikes, their emotional needs. I will never stop investing my time in trying to know my students because I believe that is how I will help them grow.”
Mackenzie Cruce teaches Children’s Literature and Creative Writing at Goose Creek High School. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing from Clemson University and went on to receive her Master’s in Education from The Citadel.
“Ms. Cruce has a wonderful way of getting every student involved in rigorous and challenging lessons. She is innovative and dynamic with the student body. She infuses students with motivation and instills in them an appetite for the joys of serving our great country and the local community. She aids without reprimand, corrects without disparagement and teaches by example,” said Goose Creek High School Principal, Jimmy Huskey.
The Rookie Teacher of the Year Committee consists of a principal, a second year teacher, a member of Teacher Forum, a member of Berkeley County School District’s Office of Leadership Development and Evaluation, a retired teacher and a business partner.
Rookie Teachers of the Year are nominated by their school principals based on the following criteria:
– Conducting effective instructional planning to meet the needs of all students
– Providing and facilitating quality instruction
– Organizing and implementing a culture of learning in the classroom
– Managing student behavior and classroom events
– Developing effective relationships with students, parents/guardians and peers
– Modeling professional demeanor and behavior
– Serving as an advocate for students and public education as a whole
All school-level Rookie Teachers of the Year are considered for the honor of being named District Rookie Teacher of the Year.
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