LIFE2 truly offers “Amazing challenges and opportunities. For the past several months, there have been many exciting events and innovative experiences that have taken place. Meeting with Dr. Maridada is always refreshing. He has the most unique way to view the simplest ideas. His extensive educational experiences always offer insight on how to keep teachers interested and motivated to work with students.
Achievement specialists are continuing to meet daily with teachers and principals to ensure teacher efficacy, progress in training and cognitive coaching are in place. They have had the opportunity to gather and review data from each school, meet with principals and school leaders and provide feedback concerning their observations. As stated in LIFE2 - Leveraging Innovation For Education Excellence, the main role of the grant is to help two districts, Orangeburg Consolidated School and Calhoun County Schools improve their quality of education, elevate educator effectiveness, raise student achievement, and increase equity in learning. This continues to be done through two tiers of services, Comprehensive Human Capital Management Services and Educator Quality supports. The grant further states that educators must be equipped with the tools and the environment needed to raise student achievement and to become reflective practitioners. Every effort is being made to ensure that the educational opportunities in these two districts are effective.

Additional training is being offered to the districts that will encourage principals and teachers to gain knowledge that is highly impactful in their schools and classrooms. The professional training specialist has been collaborating with leaders to ensure that additional opportunities are provided to increase training and technology. Course offerings are constantly being introduced in order for leaders and teachers to have current, cutting edge professional development. National Board Certification is in full progress in both districts and teachers have the leverage to enroll in four (4) components of the program. LIFE2 supports the program and there are 11 teachers in Calhoun County Schools and 35 teachers in Orangeburg Consolidated Schools who are participating. The National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (2017) reported that students with National Board-Certified reading teachers have significantly higher reading ability. LIFE2 supports the information and looks forward to monitoring the data connected to the research for National Board Certified Teachers in the districts.

Technology is in full use in the districts through the use of SIBME and SWIVL. Teachers can use a repository of modules to impact learning in their classrooms. The virtual Huddles allow teachers to create a community of practice by sharing and engaging in virtual discussions to highlight new learning. Virtual coaches and clinical faculty are available for teachers to access, for feedback and improved learning practices.
LIFE2 is almost full circle! The staff of MCDC and Voorhees University met on February 28, 2023, with area pastors in the Orangeburg Districts, at St. Paul Baptist Church. A wonderful lunch was provided and there was an opportunity to share all of the fundamental components of the LIFE2 Grant. Pastors asked many interesting questions and showed full support of the grant and its implementation. Upon adjournment, several ministers expressed appreciation for the knowledge of this outstanding resource that is provided for schools in both districts. Special thanks to Mr. Roderick Cummings and Ms. Joshlynn Edmonds for spearheading this enormous event. LIFE2 “Amazing Challenges and Opportunities” continues to prevail!