2020 NIET School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina

September 18, 2020

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Surprises Mellichamp Elementary in Orangeburg with $5,000 School of Promise Award
NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Presents 2020 School of Promise Award to Mellichamp Elementary
Leaders from the Orangeburg District and Mellichamp Elementary React to Surprise NIET School of Promise Award
Orangeburg County School District Leaders and Staff Celebrate Mellichamp Elementary School as a 2020 School of Promise
Orangeburg County School District Director of Student Services Dr. Hayward Jean Celebrates 2020 School of Promise Award
2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Caorlina
2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina
2020 School of Promise: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina
NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Surprises Mellichamp Elementary in Orangeburg with $5,000 School of Promise Award
NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Presents 2020 School of Promise Award to Mellichamp Elementary
Leaders from the Orangeburg District and Mellichamp Elementary React to Surprise NIET School of Promise Award
Orangeburg County School District Leaders and Staff Celebrate Mellichamp Elementary School as a 2020 School of Promise
Orangeburg County School District Director of Student Services Dr. Hayward Jean Celebrates 2020 School of Promise Award
2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Caorlina
2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina
2020 School of Promise: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina
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NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Surprises Mellichamp Elementary in Orangeburg with $5,000 School of Promise Award

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen surprises Mellichamp Elementary School in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with a $5,000 School of Promise Award. The announcement was made during a virtual celebration with the school and district leaders.

"Mellichamp's community is inspiring and shows us what is possible when educators collaborate and deepen their focus on high-quality instruction," Dr. McQueen said. "Mellichamp's leaders and educators have built their capacity around engaging teaching practices, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them to take their work to the next level."

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen Presents 2020 School of Promise Award to Mellichamp Elementary

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen, bottom left, announces Mellichamp Elementary as a recipient of a 2020 School of Promise Award before district and school leaders. Also pictured clockwise are NIET Executive Director of Professional Development Dr. Ann Shaw, Orangeburg County School District Board Chairman Vernon Stephens, and Orangeburg County School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster and district leaders.

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

Leaders from the Orangeburg District and Mellichamp Elementary React to Surprise NIET School of Promise Award

Orangeburg County School District and Mellichamp Elementary leaders react enthusiastically to receiving the 2020 School of Promise Award, which comes with a cash prize of $5,000. A highlight of the celebration was recognizing the leadership and partnership of former Mellichamp Principal Hayward Jean -- who now serves as the director of student services at the district -- and current Mellichamp Principal Dr. Elrica C. Glover. Glover served as assistant principal before assuming the principalship this year.

"I can't be more appreciative of this award," said Dr. Glover, who guides staff and students under a motto of "All in, all win." "We know teachers truly make the difference in the classroom. We feel good that our work is being validated, and we will continue work to go to even higher." 

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

Orangeburg County School District Leaders and Staff Celebrate Mellichamp Elementary School as a 2020 School of Promise

Leaders and staff at the Orangeburg County School District, led by Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster (left, foreground), celebrate Mellichamp Eleementary's 2020 School of Promise Award.

From 2018 to 2019, Mellichamp increased its percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on state assessments in English language arts, math, and science – and jumped 27.4 percentage points in social studies. Additionally, between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school year, Mellichamp retained all of its teachers – another mark of the positive culture established at the school.

"Mellichamp provides a model of excellence not only within the Orangeburg and surrounding communities, but also throughout the nation," Dr. Foster commented. "High expectations, inspirational leadership and a collaborative spirit are the cornerstones of school transformations and are certainly evident in that school."

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

Orangeburg County School District Director of Student Services Dr. Hayward Jean Celebrates 2020 School of Promise Award

Mellichamp Elementary's NIET School of Promise Award has special meaning for Hayward Jean, director of student services for the Orangeburg County School District. As former principal of the school, he contributed to its achievement growth. Principal Dr. Elrica C. Glover, former assistant principal, is continuing that commitment.

"NIET helped us build a culture of reflection, strength-based teaching, collaboration, student engagement, and student ownership," said Jean. "The opportunity to walk with NIET specialists in and out of classrooms and to discuss the areas of refinement and reinforcement has been empowering."

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Caorlina

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen (far left) and NIET Senior Vice President of Services Vicky Condalary (center) visit with Mellichamp Elementary School students. The school received a 2020 NIET School of Promise Award, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize.

Photo from February 2019

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

2020 School of Promise Award: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina

Inside the classrooms of Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."

2020 School of Promise: Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina

Inside the classrooms of Mellichamp Elementary School, Orangeburg, South Carolina

All photos should be credited to the "National Institute for Excellence in Teaching."