Sister Gardenia Hamilton

.

Praise the Lord!  The Teacher of the Year 2004-2005 for Sneed Middle School in Florence, South Carolina is indeed an honor bestowed upon me by my coworkers.   To have been selected by such a wonderful staff humbles me; I give glory to God!  I would like to share how God prepared me for the teaching career.  These are the colleges I attended from 1969 – 2003 and the degrees I obtained:

Voorhees College (1972); Bachelor of Science, Mathematics

Cambridge College (1995); Master of Education

The College of Charleston, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, University of Alabama, and Francis Marion University (1977-2003); 30+ hours of mathematics, technology, and computer courses.

My teaching experience has afforded me the opportunity to teach at the elementary, middle, junior high, high school and college level:

Sneed Middle School: 1995-present: Teacher of Mathematics – 8^th grade Math, Algebra I, Lead Teacher of Team, Department Chairperson: 1998-2000, Middle School Curriculum Revision Committee; SECME Advisor;

Francis Marion University: Part Time Instructor: spring of 1998; 

Ebenezer Junior High School: 1990-1995: Teacher of Mathematics – 8^th grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, District Curriculum Committee Secondary; 

Mayewood High School: 1984-1990: Teacher of Mathematics – General Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Tenth Grade Chairperson, Bible Club Advisor;  

Allendale-Fairfax High School: 1979-1984: Teacher of Mathematics – General Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Beta Club Advisor, Advisory Committee; and 

R. E. Davis Elementary School: 1973 – 1979: Teacher of Mathematics – 5^th and 8^th grade.

What goals have I set for myself as a teacher?

       As a teacher, I have set these goals for myself:

1. To help the students become independent learners of mathematics.
2. To actively involve the students in the learning process.  This involvement includes these techniques: questioning, games, projects, role-playing, buzz-groups, group competition, creative writing, oral-presentations, guest lectures, geometric art work and technology.
3. To improve as a facilitator of the classroom who assists, supports, guides and simulates students toward purposeful learning.  One never stops developing socially, intellectually or academically, without consistently learning new things and striving to improve one-self, therefore; I continue to take classes through the continuing education program and receive input from my students.

This is an honor I will always remember.  It reminds me of a greater honor.  When God in his grace and mercy directed me to repent of my sins; be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and filled me with the gift of the Holy Ghost, through the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.  This salvation is the same salvation the disciples of Jesus and Paul received in the Book of Acts and all other followers of Christ.  It is the experience that Peter used the “keys” to open the door of salvation to the Jews and Gentiles.  Read the 2^nd, 8^th, 10^th and 11^th chapters of Acts. Do you have this experience? It’s for you.  Read the 2^nd chapter of Acts and look carefully at verses 37 – 40.   Study the Book of Acts, it is the book that teaches how one is to be saved.  Rejoice with me in these honors, the greater being God’s grace and mercy to whosoever will!  Be blessed and be filled with his precious Spirit!

Yours in Christ,
Sister Gardenia Hamilton
Progressive Church of Florence, South Carolina