HARDEEVILLE, SC – On Wednesday, November 12, three teachers at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter School (RLOACS) received Math Performance Bonuses from their authorizer, the Charter Institute at Erskine, for achieving significant student academic growth on SC READY math scores.
The following teachers were recognized for their excellence in math classroom instruction:
- Ms. Elizabeth McClain (4th grade) – $2,500
- Ms. Yonna Porter (5th grade) – $1,000
- Ms. Kadene Witter-Headley (4th grade) – $1,000
Their hard work, passion for teaching math, and commitment to their students were celebrated in front of the school’s administration, faculty, and student body in a surprise presentation of the award.
“This bonus is really about my students,” said Ms. McClain. “They worked so hard, challenged themselves, and grew in their math skills every day. Seeing them gain confidence and realize they can succeed in math is the most rewarding part of all.”
The Math Performance Bonus initiative recognizes Institute charter school teachers from across the state who met or exceeded added value growth targets of 3.5 or higher in math on SC READY during the 2024-2025 school year. RLOACS is one of eight Institute charter schools across the state to receive math performance bonus checks for their teachers.
“We challenge the students,” said Elementary Principal, Ms. Alethea Wigfall. “We’re always showing them that they can improve and increase beyond what the previous class or the previous grade level did. They have the best teachers around, so if they listen and follow the instructions that those teachers are giving, they are going to be successful.”
Facilitating success in math instruction is one of the three pillars of the Institute’s $1.75 million Success Agenda. The Math pillar of the agenda includes the performance bonuses as well as global research on math instruction with the goal of raising statewide math assessment scores.
“Congratulations to Ms. McClain, Ms. Porter and Ms. Witter-Headley for their outstanding work in mathematics,” said Deputy Superintendent Mrs. Jeanie Glover. “Teachers like these three ladies, who are consistently elevating their practice to ensure our students learn at the highest level, are the ones truly impacting this generation of children.”
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts & Sciences is a K-12 public charter school located in Jasper County that uses project-based learning to highlight the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving. The school is the first South Carolina charter school ever to be prestigiously named a School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. RLOACS is authorized through the Charter Institute at Erskine. To learn more, visit www.rloacs.org.
