D7 was honored to welcome State Superintendent Ellen Weaver to the Cleveland Academy of Leadership this week to visit with teachers, staff, and students and see how #7SHINES! She was greeted by Cleveland student leaders, staff and administration; Superintendent Jeff Stevens; and members of our Viking Early College who are Cleveland alumni and reflect the bright future ahead (these young men will graduate with both a high school diploma from SHS and an associate’s degree from Spartanburg CommunityCollege).
Dr. Marquice Clark shared Cleveland’s story as a South Carolina “Beating the Odds” school that takes a community-based approach to removing barriers to learning for its students. He led Superintendent Weaver through the school’s math lab, dental clinic, and “Loads of Love” laundry facility - all of which support students thanks to local community partners. Visits to Cleveland’s Teacher of the Year, Tristan Hunt’s 4th grade class and multilingual learner teacher Gow Lo's class provided powerful demonstrations of learning in action and sparked conversation about how we can work together across our state to best support students. A final stop in Bethany Massingill’s 1st grade class provided Superintendent Weaver time to sit with students and read one of her favorite books, “If You Give a Dog a Donut.” Our children were delighted to interact with her and excitedly shared the kinds of pets they have at their homes (along with many other fascinating tidbits about themselves)!
“Our work is grounded in a deep belief in what our children, families, and community can accomplish together. We were honored to have the opportunity to share our story with Superintendent Weaver,” said Dr. Clark. “With Cleveland’s head down and sleeves up approach to education, our staff shows every day what it means to pair high expectations with love while building a true culture of excellence. We know the odds, but we also know the potential of our leaders, and that is what drives us. Engaging in conversation with Superintendent Weaver about the challenges, opportunities, and innovations that are happening now and that are possible in the future reflects the collaborative spirit of education in South Carolina.”
Reflecting on her time in District 7, Superintendent Weaver observed, “Dr. Marquice Clark and his staff at The Cleveland Academy of Leadership are laser-focused on building a culture of excellence and they are beating the odds. By pairing high expectations with high support and strong partnerships with families and the community, they are proving what’s possible for students. At Cleveland success is the expectation, not the exception and I cannot wait to see the path of the future leaders being shaped within these walls.”
Thank you, Superintendent Weaver, for spending time with us in Spartanburg School District 7!