Rock Hill holds pep rally for teachers
It was an event befitting rock stars.
The lights were low, a spotlight swept the room, and a basketball coach-turned-announcer whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
Some were so cool they wore giant sunglasses. Others shook pom-poms. A few had Superman capes.
When the cheering stopped, the video and music started. The rock stars emerged from under the bleachers, pointing their fingers at their “peeps,” while they smiled. The star of stars rode into the event on a Harley-Davidson – her first time ever on a motorcycle.
Such was Friday’s annual pre-school bash for the more than 2,000 teachers, administrators and staff of the Rock Hill School District. Clad in school colors the teachers and administrators filled the gym at Rock Hill High. Winthrop University basketball coach Pat Kelsey did what he does best – gave a performance/motivational speech, stressing the value of teamwork.
Superintendent of Schools Kelly Pew made her entrance on a motorcycle, reminding those assembled they work with the best of the best: The district has had a state teacher-of-the-year finalist six of the last seven years.
Rachel Glibbery could the next on that list. Glibbery, an English as a Second Language teacher at Northwestern High School, was named the district’s teacher of the year.
Before the teachers left for the final days of preparation – Rock Hill schools start Tuesday with expected attendance of 18,000 – Pew took a few solemn moments to remind them of one of their former colleagues and to challenge them for the upcoming year.
Pew recalled the story of Heather Dobbins, a Richmond Drive Elementary teacher who died in a tubing accident in 2013.
Dobbins was more than a teacher, Pew said. She was the kind of person who made lifelong friendships with her grade-school students and continued to be part of their lives long after they graduated high school.
Pew told of Enzo and Alex Martinez who arrived at Richmond Drive unable to speak English. Dobbins tutored the boys. She started going to their soccer games. A week before her death Dobbins traveled to Salt Lake to hold Enzo’s daughter.
Pew challenged all of her staff to emulate Dobbins, enabling, loving and caring for the students.
“All of us,” Pew said, “can make an impact on the lives of children.”
Don Worthington: 803-329-4066, @rhherald_donw
Rock Hill honors teachers
The Rock Hill School District named a teacher of the year from each school Friday. The district honored other teachers as well.
The winners were:
▪ District teacher of the year: Rachel Glibbery, an English as a Second Language teacher at Northwestern High School. She is in her eighth year with the school district. She is a graduate of Clover High School and the Teachers Fellows program at Winthrop University.
▪ Erin Webb, a first-grade teacher at Rosewood Elementary, and Angela Copley, an art teacher at Saluda Trail Middle School, were honor roll teachers – the other top candidates for the teacher of the year honor.
▪ Morey Reinblatt, an English teacher at Rock Hill High School, was named the high school beginning teacher of the year.
▪ Caci Balser, a 4-K teacher at Old Pointe Elementary School, was named elementary beginning teacher of the year.
Source: Rock Hill School District
This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Rock Hill holds pep rally for teachers."