Fairforest Elementary School teacher, Ellie White, has been named a recipient of the 2020 Childers Education Foundation Teaching Excellence Award from Furman University.
White is a Furman graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education last May. She and a Greenville county school educator Caroline Terry, each received a $1,500 award during a conferral ceremony and special reception on January 15.
A committee of Furman faculty, along with school administrators and mentor teachers who worked closely with award nominees, used three main criteria in selecting the Childers Award winners: love of content, love of teaching, and love of student.
“Caroline and Ellie are exceptional and inspiring teachers,” said Dr. Nelly Hecker, Education Professor, and Department Chair. “They not only care for their students’ growth and well-being but also engage them in thoughtful, well-developed lessons. We are proud to honor their accomplishments as both teachers and Furman graduates.”
White was recognized for the thoughtful, innovative lessons that she has created throughout the year. She created a “book tasting” event for students complete with a menu, checkered tablecloths, background music and lots of book options. Her class is now working to create digital book trailers to recommend and share their favorite books with students school-wide.
“Caroline always works to meet her students’ unique needs. Each day, she offers opportunities for students to collaborate and share their thinking and to highlight student successes,” said Dawn Mitchell, one of Terry’s teaching mentors. “Her teaching is successful because of her love for her students and how it shows in each of her instructional decisions.”
“It is important to me that each child feels as though our classroom is a place where they are encouraged to learn and grow from mistakes,” said White. “It brings me great joy to encourage, inspire, and empower students as learners.”
The award for first-year teachers was established in 2009 by Marybeth Bunting Childers ’80, an education major at Furman who founded two schools and was named North Carolina Teacher of the Year, and her husband, Alfred Childers ‘80, a former member of Furman’s Board of Trustees.