Memminger Elementary IB World School is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on three major initiatives: the International Baccalaureate Program, Social Emotional Learning and Personalized Learning Classrooms to meet all students’ needs.
As a recent authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Memminger is quickly changing the methods by which we have traditionally taught. The students and teachers are now a part of a collaborative effort of learning that includes inquiry, discovery and knowledge. The students are taking their learning and the concepts, the foundation of the inquiry unit, to a creative place that teachers alone are unable to accomplish. As part of the IB Program, students at Memminger understand complex ideas such as being “balanced” and “open-minded” because these are the foundation of self worth and intrinsic motivation; something we want all our young people to encompass in order to carry them through life, not just elementary school. These ideas are at the core of the life and career characteristics of a South Carolina Graduate. The IB process is a framework that grows our students in creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. This is evidenced by the survey data collected through AdvanED, results showed that parents feel their child while in class is most often working with others (68%), thinking (61%), listening to teachers (61%) and writing (57%). And the teachers reported that students most often are thinking (94%), working with others (89%), classroom work (50%) and brief projects (33%) while in the classroom.
Memminger IB World School is providing a Tier 1 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum school wide. Starting off the school year all classrooms dive into an intentional and meaningful curriculum, Second Step. The overall goal of the SEL program is to support students in self-regulation, teach skills for learning to include empathy, managing emotions, and problem solving skills to create a more successful learner. Children need a solid foundation of self-regulation skills to help them stay focused on their learning, get along with others and work independently and cooperatively in the classroom. The SEL program assists students in knowing and understanding how to learn as well as communicating with on another. Coupled with our SEL program, we have embraced important relationship building practices through Capturing Kids’ Hearts. We are thrilled to share that Memminger was also named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School for the Flippen Group two years in a row. Our team understands and values the relationships that fuel the soul for learning. Memminger has a strong school culture that supports learning as indicated by the student state survey results where 62% of the students feel supported and try their best, 90% of students had a positive response to seeking help when facing a challenge and 53% find learning goals valuable to their learning. Parent surveys through AdvancED describe the interactions they have with the staff at their child’s school, respectful (57%), supportive (57%), comfortable (46%) and collaborative (39%).
Through Personalized Learning and teamwork our students and teachers have been able to increase the rigor and challenge of the classroom. Our scholars lead the classroom in personalized learning and have much ownership of their growth and pace. Personalized Learning is a way of mastery for the students to drive the learning process and ability to move through the standards and learning.
At Memminger, we believe in HOPE for ALL students! Our teachers, parents and learning community are a great support of the changes and improvement at Memminger. We thank you for believing in our mission!
Abigail D. Woods, Ph.D., Principal
Ms. Shawn Carter, SIC Chair