(left to right) Jennie Seawright and Sharon Smith

Erskine Graduates Named Finalists For Teaching Prize

Two Erskine College graduates, Jennie Padgett Seawright, Class of 1979, and Sharon E. Smith, Class of 1990, are among six South Carolina finalists for the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, the nation's highest honor for elementary and secondary teaching in math and science.

Both Erskine alumnae were recognized for their teaching of mathematics, Seawright at Cherokee Trail Elementary School in Abbeville County and Smith at Ninety Six High School in Greenwood District 52. They are two of only three finalists in math in South Carolina. Three other teachers in the state were selected for their teaching of science.

Teachers nominated for the Presidential Award go through a rigorous review process ending with White House approval. Awardees are selected on the basis of the excellence of their teaching performance, leadership abilities, continuing education activities and dedication as teachers.

Seawright, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Erskine, has completed 30 hours of graduate work. "Jennie Seawright is a super math teacher, and the kids really respond well to her," said Chester R. King, principal of Cherokee Trail Elementary School, where Seawright has taught for eight years. "She is a reserved person and we really had to talk her into applying, but she is certainly a deserving finalist."

Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Erskine with a minor in Secondary Education and a master's degree in Secondary Guidance and Counseling from Clemson University. She said the application for the Presidential Award reminded her of working toward National Board Certification, which she completed in the area of Adolescent/Young Adulthood Mathematics in 2000.

"The application required me to videotape one of my classes and discuss the video in relation to my teaching practice," Smith said. "But such reflection is advantageous for me because it helps me see how I may improve on that practice."

"Sharon is an excellent teacher and serves as department chairman," said Joanne Campbell, principal at Ninety Six High School. "She teaches a wide range of courses and uses various teaching techniques to reach the students. She also stays after school on a regular basis to offer students extra help."

Both Seawright and Smith look back on their time at Erskine as important for their success in teaching. "The total Erskine experience of Christian values, high ideals, and a strong and focused work ethic has had a great impact on my life and career," said Seawright. "I try to pass along to my students the values that Erskine helped me to cultivate."

Smith said several professors at Erskine were especially influential in her life and work. "Three that especially come to mind are math professor Dr. Ann Bowe, physics professor Dr. Bill Junkin, and education professor Dr. Henry Hollingsworth, who is now retired," she said. "Those three, along with high school teachers, such as my mother and Miss Betty Stroud, have influenced my philosophy and style of teaching."

For Seawright, there is no particular person or class at Erskine that was most influential. "But I believe the strong liberal arts education I received from Erskine prepared me to be successful at the wide variety of tasks that a teacher is expected to accomplish on a daily basis," she said.

Both teachers find that the versatility they have gained from a strong liberal arts background at Erskine is essential in their daily work. Seawright, who has taught math for a number of years, was assigned to teach a sixth grade English and language arts class this fall, while continuing to teach seventh grade math, and Smith now teaches SAT prep, both verbal and math, in addition to her several math classes.

"The exposure to varied subjects that comes with the liberal arts education allows me to pull in examples from all areas and therefore integrate the curriculum more fully," said Smith. "The many hours of music courses and Choraleer practices at Erskine made it possible for me to teach chorus for a number of years until the school could hire a full-time chorus teacher. And the well-rounded education I received also makes teaching SAT prep easier."

For Seawright and Smith, helping students succeed makes their work worthwhile, and they sometimes receive confirmation that they are touching students.

Seawright recently received a "Golden Apple Award" from WYFF, the NBC affiliate station in Greenville. She was nominated for the award by Reggie Patterson, son of Erskine Alumni Director Ralph Patterson and his wife Lynn, who is a teacher at Cherokee Trail. Reggie Patterson was one of Seawright's math students for several years, and moved on this year to Dixie High School, where he is in the eighth grade and making good progress in algebra.

"The knowledge that the work I do is truly helping my students reach their goals in high school and beyond is what keeps me motivated," said Seawright. "It is what makes the teaching profession one of the most rewarding careers."