Southern Wesleyan University's School of Education and SWU's Lady Warriors Basketball Team are joining together to enhance educational opportunities for children enrolled in an Upstate after-school program.
Bethlehem Christian Academy in Simpsonville, S.C., received a $200,000 grant from the S.C. Department of Education 21st Century Learning Center, which includes professional development funding for the training of their staff by education faculty members from Southern Wesleyan University. Southern Wesleyan's School of Education will provide training for the parents and teachers in differentiated instruction, assessment, technology and working with gifted and talented students. The grant will provide for additional funding over the next four years.According to Dr. Sandra McLendon, assistant professor of education and acting associate dean of education at Southern Wesleyan, the project involves the university and its Lady Warriors, Laurens School District 55, Bethlehem Christian Academy and Project READ. McLendon said that the project helps children in grades 3-5 improve skills in reading, writing and mathematics, and it also provides literacy training for parents at no cost.
"It's a great opportunity to partner with them. This is a marvelous example of a program I think will really work," said Dr. David Spittal, president of Southern Wesleyan University.
