CSU education grads, students receive free teaching supplies

Area teachers got a head start on the upcoming academic year after a supply giveaway provided by Charleston Southern University’s College of Education. On Saturday, July 24, 40 teachers—both recent graduates and current students at CSU—received a bag of office supplies and classroom teaching materials based on their grade level assignment. Included in each bag were notes of encouragement from CSU faculty and leadership.

Though school districts provide some supplies, teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money for their classrooms, according to CSU’s Dean of the College of Education Dr. Julie Fernandez.

“We want all our new teachers to have a strong beginning, so they will stay in this career their whole professional life,” said Fernandez. 

All of the supplies were donated by CSU faculty, doctoral students and area businesses.

Many CSU education majors stay in the Charleston metro area to teach in Berkeley County, Charleston County, and Dorchester District II schools. Of the 56 spring graduates, 43 are working in South Carolina schools and six are out of state. Others are working in other professional capacities or awaiting a contract for the upcoming academic year. 

Fernandez added, “We are so proud of how our students are going to impact our community with their faith and expertise.”

CSU produces countless Teachers of the Year who graduate from one of 11 undergraduate degree programs as well as the Master of Education program. The College of Education also kicked off the first doctoral program in the Lowcountry, the Doctor of Education—Leadership, with its first cohort set to graduate in December 2021. To learn more, go to www.charlestonsouthern.edu/college-of-education.

Related Stories