Public Education Partners

Such a wonderful way to wrap up the school year! We recently brought together educators from Teacher Fellows, Teacher Forum, and the Teacher Advisory Council for a little fellowship, networking, and celebration at our PEP Social.

Photo 1: Erin Rigot, Yolanda Crittendon-Jones, Taylor McLeer, Renee Brown, & Bre McGill. Photo 2: Izzy Snider, Caitlin Scott, Candice Collins, Catherine Schumacher, & Tracy LeGrand.

Thank you all for everything you do for students, schools, and our community. Enjoy a well-deserved summer break! ☀️

📚 ATTENTION FIRST YEAR TEACHERS! 📚

Starting your classroom library can be expensive — The Open Book Project is here to help!

First year teachers in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens Counties are invited to receive FREE gently used books for their classroom libraries while supplies last.

📖 Books available for elementary, middle, and high school students
📅 Appointments available beginning June 1
📍 By appointment only
📍 213 E. 1st Avenue, Easley, SC

To schedule a time or request more information, please email:
📧 [email protected]

Donations from our community help put books directly into the hands of students and teachers. We are honored to support educators as they begin their teaching journey!

Our volunteers make so much of our work at PEP possible and we loved taking a moment to celebrate you over coffee this month. From left are Christine Scott, Maile Takata, Becca Fox, Becca Fowler, Wendy Thacker, Jason Richards, and Sarah Bell.

Thank you for giving your time, energy, and heart to support students, teachers, and public schools in Greenville. We are grateful for every hour you serve and every way you show up for PEP. 💜

As we head into summer, we’re wrapping up Season 1 of Simple Civics Ed Talks with a reflection on the conversations that stayed with us most. ❤️

In this year-in-review episode, Catherine Schumacher, Erin Rigot, and Mary Leslie Anderson look back on favorite moments and what they’re excited to explore in Season 2. Listen in: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/episodes/edtalks-looking-back-moving-forward-reflecting-on-season-1

We’re taking a short summer hiatus and will be back in August. ☀️🎙️

We’ve started a list of ideas for next season, but we’d love yours too. What should we explore next in our podcast?

Baseball + community + family fun added up to a great night at Fluor Field! ⚾

We loved celebrating Bank of Travelers Rest’s 80th anniversary and connecting with so many community members at our table. Thanks for stopping by to learn more about our work!

Cue the summer playlists ☀️🎶
The final bell has rung, and summer break is officially here!

Have an amazing summer, everyone! 😎

POV: You survive your first year of teaching… and fall in love with it.
In this week’s Simple Civics Greenville County EdTalks podcast, Anna Haas shares the real moments behind her first year teaching at Tanglewood Middle School, including the challenges, the growth, the relationships, and the joy of helping students thrive.

✨ “I am holding you to this expectation because I care about you.”
✨ “My first year of teaching has been rigorous, but exciting.”

Anna’s story is a reminder that strong support systems, caring educators, and meaningful connections can make all the difference.❤️
🎧 Listen in: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/episodes/edtalks-first-year-check-surviving-and-thriving-in-your-first-year-of-teaching

Last but certainly not least, congratulations to Rhonda Lyle, a first-year kindergarten teacher from Grove Elementary School and our final PEP Star for 2025-2026!

“Rhonda consistently gives her students her all by creating a supportive, engaging, and academically strong classroom environment where every child feels valued. Her dedication to student success is evident in her thoughtful instruction, strong relationships, and commitment to meeting individual student needs,” her colleague, Karen Simmons, wrote. “Rhonda exemplifies the heart, perseverance, and excellence of an outstanding educator and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

We appreciate all you do for students, Rhonda!