District One Schools of Spartanburg County has been selected to participate in The Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The partnership is designed to assist arts organizations throughout the nation to develop or expand educational partnerships with their local school systems.

District One Schools will partner with Spartanburg School District Six and The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg.

The primary purpose of these school/community partnerships in the arts is to promote the professional learning of teachers. Education partnerships contribute to making the arts a part of every student’s education. Partnership teams are accepted into the program by an application and approval process.

“The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg of The Chapman Cultural Center and Spartanburg District One are members of the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, D.C. Selected because of their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of education in and through the arts, the Partnership Team participates in collaborative efforts to make the arts integral to education.”-The Kennedy Center.

In yet another recognition of District One Schools’ efforts to expand opportunities for students in the Performing and Visual Arts, District One Schools Superintendent Dr. Ron Garner was chosen as the 2013-2014 South Carolina Arts Educators Association’s Distinguished Arts Advocate Award recipient.

“This is in honor of your service to art education. The members of the selection committee were very impressed with your qualifications. It is a credit to you and your continuing contributions to art education to have been selected for this award. Thank you for all you have done.” said Steven Bailey, SCAEA Past President.

This award was presented at the 2013 SCAEA annual staff development conference in Beaufort, S.C.

“The arts are such a necessary component to providing our students with a quality, student-centered education. We are very fortunate to have a superintendent who recognizes that need. Dr. Garner supports the goal of all educators in District One in our efforts to teach our students and give equal opportunities for students to express themselves through academics, athletics and the arts” said Cindy Riddle, coordinator of visual and performing arts.

– article submitted 

by Paula Brooks