Welcome Teacher Leaders!
Dear SC District Teachers of the Year,
Let me begin by saying congratulations to you on such a tremendous honor! I cannot wait to work with you this year as part of the 2023-2024 South Carolina Teacher Forum, and I look forward to celebrating this honor with you in about two weeks at our fall conference in Myrtle Beach. These three days are going to offer you a chance to fully understand and embrace what it means to be a teacher leader and an advocate for the profession. When I attended as a District Teacher of the Year, I came away renewed, motivated, and inspired. I hope that you will get as much out of it as I did. You will also likely make lasting friendships there. I know I did, and I value those relationships. I look forward to the new ones with you.
During the conference, we will have time to collect books for O6 My First Library. This book drive is a great way to ensure that our earliest readers have access to books of their own choosing. When students come to a My First Library event, they have the opportunity to pick out ten books that they would like to read and take them home. We know how important access to books and having choice in book selection is for children to become readers. The books are for rising first graders. I encourage you to bring as many books as you can. Please note the organization does not distribute used books. Please help us fill those bins for South Carolina’s students.
We will also have a silent auction. You read about that in Suzanne’s email. You can bring anything you think your peers may enjoy bidding on during the days together. Make sure to bring a checkbook or lots of extra cash. You might be able to pick up a few holiday gifts or find something for yourself.
Our theme for this year’s conference is keep giving and growing. As teachers, we give the best of ourselves with others, sharing our time and talents with our students and growing in our practice as educators. Participation in the SC Teacher Forum will enable you to grow in your journey as a teacher leader and as an advocate for our profession. I am so excited to get to know you and embark on this teacher leadership journey together. Once again, congratulations!
Sincerely,
Renee'
2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Resort Information
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront | 3200 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | 1-843-315-7100
www.myrtlebeachresort.doubletreebyhilton.com
Directions to Hotel
https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/south-carolina/doubletree-resort-by-hilton-myrtle-beach-oceanfront-MYRDTDT/maps-directions/index.html
Conference Registration
Registration/check-in for the conference will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. outside the Atlantic ballroom. There will be people standing by to help you with directions. You may check into the hotel before coming over to the conference registration. You need to stop by registration during this time to pick up some materials and to drop off any items you brought for the Silent auction or for the O6 My First Library book drive (see information below). Our opening session will begin promptly at 6:00 and will include dinner and the first keynote address.
If you requested a room when you registered for the conference, we have secured the room for you. There is no need to call the DoubeTree directly.
Cancellation of Attendance
Be sure to notify us at CERRA if you are no longer able to attend the conference. You may reach Suzanne Koty at [email protected] or via cell phone at 803-464-0520 or Dani Stroud at [email protected] or by phone at 803-250-1402.
Parking
When you check-in, you will be given instructions for parking as well as a parking pass. If you opt to take your items to your room prior to parking your vehicle, please return to your vehicle as soon as possible to move your vehicle to make room for others arriving after you.
Please check in with the hotel first. After checking in with the hotel and receiving your room information, please check in with CERRA in the Atlantic ballroom area. There you will receive conference materials and drop off your clothing drive items.
Conference Attire
Wednesday, November 8th: Business
Someone will be available to take your picture between 5:00 - 5:45. This picture will be used in the Teacher of the Year Banquet program. Every District Teacher of the Year needs to have his/her picture taken while at the conference.
Thursday, November 9th: Casual
We ask that you plan to wear a district or school t-shirt on Thursday. You are invited to wear comfortable pants and shoes. Yes, we mean jeans or yoga pants! You may also want a light sweater or jacket in case you find the rooms to be chilly.
Friday, November 10th: Business
We will begin the day with a group photo and need everyone ready for that right at the start of the day.
Twitter
Please consider signing up for Twitter, also known as X, so that you are able to participate in the Twitter conversations during the conference. We will be using the hashtags #scteachers and #keepgivingandgrowing. Feel free to start the conversations prior to the conference.
Silent Auction
The State Teacher Forum Conference Silent Auction raises money for the Ken Bower Scholarship, which is awarded to SC Teacher Cadets who plan to pursue a career in teaching. Think about the businesses and artisans in your community. Do you have an artistic colleague? Do you have a connection with a local business? Ask them for a donation, and tell them that their items will have a statewide audience. Bring as many items as you want to the State Teacher Forum Conference, and of course, come prepared to do a little bidding yourself! Please note that credit cards are not accepted so you may want to bring your checkbook and/or cash.
O6 My First Library Book Drive
The Original Six Foundation collects new books for children at the end of their Kindergarten year as they prepare to become first graders. The children get to select 10 books of interest to them to take home and read over the summer. Research tell us how important reading choice and access to books are for children to become readers.
Conference Checklist
www.myrtlebeachresort.doubletreebyhilton.com
Directions to Hotel
https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/south-carolina/doubletree-resort-by-hilton-myrtle-beach-oceanfront-MYRDTDT/maps-directions/index.html
Conference Registration
Registration/check-in for the conference will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. outside the Atlantic ballroom. There will be people standing by to help you with directions. You may check into the hotel before coming over to the conference registration. You need to stop by registration during this time to pick up some materials and to drop off any items you brought for the Silent auction or for the O6 My First Library book drive (see information below). Our opening session will begin promptly at 6:00 and will include dinner and the first keynote address.
If you requested a room when you registered for the conference, we have secured the room for you. There is no need to call the DoubeTree directly.
Cancellation of Attendance
Be sure to notify us at CERRA if you are no longer able to attend the conference. You may reach Suzanne Koty at [email protected] or via cell phone at 803-464-0520 or Dani Stroud at [email protected] or by phone at 803-250-1402.
Parking
When you check-in, you will be given instructions for parking as well as a parking pass. If you opt to take your items to your room prior to parking your vehicle, please return to your vehicle as soon as possible to move your vehicle to make room for others arriving after you.
Please check in with the hotel first. After checking in with the hotel and receiving your room information, please check in with CERRA in the Atlantic ballroom area. There you will receive conference materials and drop off your clothing drive items.
Conference Attire
Wednesday, November 8th: Business
Someone will be available to take your picture between 5:00 - 5:45. This picture will be used in the Teacher of the Year Banquet program. Every District Teacher of the Year needs to have his/her picture taken while at the conference.
Thursday, November 9th: Casual
We ask that you plan to wear a district or school t-shirt on Thursday. You are invited to wear comfortable pants and shoes. Yes, we mean jeans or yoga pants! You may also want a light sweater or jacket in case you find the rooms to be chilly.
Friday, November 10th: Business
We will begin the day with a group photo and need everyone ready for that right at the start of the day.
Please consider signing up for Twitter, also known as X, so that you are able to participate in the Twitter conversations during the conference. We will be using the hashtags #scteachers and #keepgivingandgrowing. Feel free to start the conversations prior to the conference.
Silent Auction
The State Teacher Forum Conference Silent Auction raises money for the Ken Bower Scholarship, which is awarded to SC Teacher Cadets who plan to pursue a career in teaching. Think about the businesses and artisans in your community. Do you have an artistic colleague? Do you have a connection with a local business? Ask them for a donation, and tell them that their items will have a statewide audience. Bring as many items as you want to the State Teacher Forum Conference, and of course, come prepared to do a little bidding yourself! Please note that credit cards are not accepted so you may want to bring your checkbook and/or cash.
O6 My First Library Book Drive
The Original Six Foundation collects new books for children at the end of their Kindergarten year as they prepare to become first graders. The children get to select 10 books of interest to them to take home and read over the summer. Research tell us how important reading choice and access to books are for children to become readers.
Conference Checklist
- A credit card for incidentals and cash or a checkbook for the silent auction (credit cards are not accepted)
- A facial mask if you would be more comfortable wearing one; masks will not be provided and are not required
- Silent auction items
- Books to donate to the My First Library drive (No used books)
- Swimwear and/or athletic wear (shorts, tank/t-shirt, and sneakers) for optional recreational activities.