Clinton City Schools doesn’t just push for academic success within its student body. The administration and board also support the educational advancement of the faculty and staff.

Throughout the school year, educators are offered various opportunities that help acquire personal and professional goals for many of the system’s teachers and support staff. These opportunities include everything from in-house professional development to obtaining additional certification and degrees.

According to Erin Rady, AIG Coordinator and K-5 curriculum coach, Clinton City Schools believes in providing experiences for all teachers and staff to grow as leaders.

“When given the opportunity to lead, staff members are more vested and want to see their work successful,” Rady said about options for educational and career advancement. “Through teacher and staff empowerment, Clinton City enhances and supports each employee’s professional growth and development in efforts to promote more effective job performance.”

The teachers and faculty are provided various in-house opportunities, as well as outsourced experiences, to pursue professional and personal growth through educational associations and partnerships. These partnerships and grants that are available are utilized to assist in funding what otherwise wouldn’t be an option for many people.

“We at Clinton City Schools think that growing our own is important for the entire system,” superintendent Dr. Stuart Blount said. “We value professional and personal development of those in our system. Some would not be as easy without grants.”

Additionally, Rady said that Clinton City has many partnerships that support staff to attend and experience quality professional development and innovative practices in which new skills are learned.

“Employee moral increases the more employees feel empowered to continue their professional learning and work towards future goals that they may have,” Rady added.

For Clinton City Schools community liaison and grant writer Dr. Faith Jackson, who recently obtained her doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University, the opportunity to advance professionally was one she knew would not only have an immediate impact, but continue to enhance her career for years to come.

“I chose to pursue a doctorate degree and while there were not any funds available to me, it will have a lasting impact on my next 23 years in service to the state of North Carolina,” Jackson said. “The process of receiving my doctorate has given me an opportunity within Clinton City Schools to look at data, analyze data, gain a better understanding of the data and made suggestions or changes to procedures and processes that are data driven.”

Personally, Jackson said obtaining her doctorate has afforded her a heightened desire to serve and be of assistance to other personnel within Clinton City Schools.

“In my role with Clinton City Schools, having this greater understanding will assist me in supporting teachers in their pursuit of grant opportunities and providing support from the Central Services level to the principals, personnel and students,” she added.

Advancement opportunities can also help attract new teachers and staff to Clinton City Schools.

“Attracting teachers is definitely easier when they can be made aware of the fact that Clinton City Schools values their employees and their employees professional and personal growth,” Jackson said. “Clinton City Schools’ personnel have access to supports such as mentors, supplies and community partnerships that are often difficult to find or non-existent in school systems.”

Clinton City Schools employees Erin Rady and Dr. Faith Jackson talk about professional development opportunities afforded to employees of the school system.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_IMG_3054.jpgClinton City Schools employees Erin Rady and Dr. Faith Jackson talk about professional development opportunities afforded to employees of the school system.

By Kristy D. Carter

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Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.