iTalks

GoGuardian is a powerful tool for educators looking to enhance their classroom management and student engagement. This innovative software allows teachers to monitor student activity on school devices, filter content, and even remotely lock screens when necessary. With GoGuardian, teachers can create a safe and secure learning environment, while also providing students with the freedom to explore...

Get ready to amplify your classroom with the power of podcasting! In this episode, Danette McClinton shares how she collaborated with her DIS to create a project-based podcast unit. She'll share the scaffolds used to support students, the challenges she encountered, and the unexpected impact on students. Listen now as we discover how student-created podcasts can turn your classroom into a powe...

Listen in as two teachers share the power of collaboration, the impact for their students, and the importance of having FUN. Side Note: If you hear a low rumbling throughout it's not your device, we recorded at a table and apparently the table amplified every bump and movement around the mic. 😉 *Interview conducted in April of 2023.

Join us as we hear from Administrative Assistant John Garrett and Title One Facilitator Melanie Hahn of Robert Anderson Middle School (RAMS). They're going to spill the tea on how their school is crushing the social media game to engage the community. The initiative, called 180 Days of RAMS aims to highlight the daily achievements of RAMS students and staff. Trust us, you don't want to mis...

Did you hear about Southwood Academy of the Arts in Anderson School District 5? They received a South Carolina state award called Palmetto’s Finest, but what is it? What does it mean to be recognized as a Palmetto’s Finest School? And, how will it impact the students and community? Join Southwood's Digital Integration Specialists Ashley Pursley, Beth Brannon, and Jennifer Burdette with Princip...

In this episode, we invite coaches from across the state of South Carolina to share their district's journey and progress with personalized learning. You'll hear from representatives of Lexington 3, York 1, Richland 2, and Berkeley County as well as our Office of Personalized Learning coaches. Listen now to gain insight on how to power-up your coaching for more personalized learning experiences in...

Welcome to Season 3 of the A5 iTalks podcast! To kick off the new school year and season, we wanted to talk about the district's instructional vision and how the DIS team can support you in the classroom. 

The empowered student 

The Anderson Five DIS team is an incredible team of educators dedicated to empowering, celebrating, and inspiring the learners they serve. The team collaborates with all stakeholders to provide and support high quality learning opportunities through innovative integration of instructional technology.

Danessa Barr is the principal of Varennes Elementary in Anderson School District Five. Mrs. Barr began her journey at Varennes in January 2021. She previously served as Assistant Principal at Nevitt Forest Elementary. She also taught 5th-grade and served as Instructional Facilitator during her tenure at Nevitt Forest. Mrs. Barr is married to Joseph Barr. He works for BHG as a Director of the Spart...

In this episode, listeners will hear from the Anderson District 5 experts as we take a deep dive into exploring Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Brenda Kelley, Lisa Lipscomb, and Tiffany Osborne share how MTSS helps all students reach their potential. Join us to learn why MTSS could really stand for Multi-Tiered Success Systems.​

Are you looking for opportunities to engage learners in hands-on experiences driven by your standards? Did you know each A5 school is equipped with an Innovation Learning Lab to support these opportunities? Anna Baldwin, Director of eLearning & Integration, and Dr. Paige Mitchell, Learning Engagement Coach for the SC Department of Education, share the origin story of how these tools got to you...

In this episode we talk to Sandy Bradshaw, Anderson School District Five District's Master STEM Teacher Leader. Sandy Bradshaw has been an educator for over 35 years. Sandy utilizes a problem-based learning approach to engage students in inquiry and real-world problem-solving. In her classroom, she facilitates learning and encourages students to collaborate and communicate to solve problems or mak...

Jake Miller is the #EduGIF Guy, a keynote speaker, tech integration specialist, Google for Education Trainer, Nerd, 8th-grade science teacher, and the #EduDuctTape Podcast Host. Educational technology works best when it's not the focus of the learning; it's a tool we're using. Think of it as duct tape; duct tape is the tool we use to make the thing we're using better or solve a problem. Educationa...

In 1946, under the leadership of Frank Brownlee and Douglas McDougald, the Community Chest of Anderson was organized to raise funds for nonprofit agencies who worked to help people in need in Anderson County. The Community Chest exceeded its goal of $45,000 in its first year, and provided these funds to seven nonprofit agencies. The Community Chest was replaced by the United Fund in the late sixti...

Hear from Superintendent Tom Wilson as he welcomes us back to another great school year.

Welcome to the last episode of Season 1 iTalks Podcast. Today Melissa Looney, Danae Acker, and Paige Mitchell discuss avoiding the educator summer slide. It's about leaving all of the education "work" in the classroom and using time this summer to explore your passions by digging into your why for education.

When we meet as a team on Fridays, we have roundtable discussions resulting from teachers’ questions throughout the week. Many ideas and initiatives have evolved from these talks. We now invite you into the conversation. In an effort to support the learners we serve and help you connect better with us, we have aptly named this episode style DIS-connectED. In this episode, we will be answering ques...

Ashley Pursley and Danae Acker welcome back David Kelly to share his journey with personalized learning.  You'll remember David Kelly from our previous iTalks Episode called The Empowered Educator. He shared his experience as an innovative learning coordinator in Berkeley County School District. In this episode, we will take a dive into his experience with personalized learning. Visit our sit...

Did you know the SC Department of Education has an office for Personalized Learning? Are you familiar with personalized learning? This team of educators work to make the Profile of the SC Graduate actionable through the Personalized Learning Framework. For episode 7, the DIS Team was fortunate enough to have Dr. Sarah Catto, the Upstate’s learning coach from the Office of Personalized Learning in...

In this episode the DIS team talks about self care; what that looks like and some things you can do for self care. Danae Acker and Adam Cobb interview Dr. John Neel of Town Square Chiropractic on the strategies we can use to practice better self care.  Visit our site page for episode show notes and resources !

Live without fear. Take those chances. Don't be too afraid to step outside the box if you see it's what's best for your students. Visit our site page for episode show notes and resources !

In episode four, we paid a visit to Berkeley County School District and met up with David Kelly, who was an Innovative Learning Coordinator at the time. We discussed his own empowerment and learned ways he empowers others.

In episode three, we sat down with Leonard Galloway, principal of Glenview Middle School in Anderson District 5, to tackle topics such as leadership, relationship building, the power of defining your WHY.

We know that using these technology tools and having the freedom/confidence to try it and fail forward takes support not only from the DIS team but also from school leadership. Administrators have had to rethink how to offer professional development in this new environment. Here's an example from Tiffany Osborne, Associate Principal from Glenview Middle,  of how the Glenview Leadership team c...