LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Mary Stephens was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

“Education is for improving the lives of others and leaving your community and world better than you found it.”- Marian Wright Edelman.

As a teacher, Ms. Stephens is a public servant, and through her work, she ensures she provides education to her students in ways that will improve their community, too.

Ms. Stephens did not grow up or start her career in Orangeburg, SC. However, she did spend time here as a child on her grandparent’s farm during the summers, during which she became familiar with the area but not with the community as a whole. When she first moved here, jumping right in was difficult, as it took some time to build rapport and understand the area. Therefore, her commitment to her community began with her school by building relationships and educating her students and their families. Ms. Stephens' involvement has grown as she has built solid relationships and connections with families and other community members.

Recently, this past March, Ms. Stephens organized a Dr. Seuss-themed family literacy night to celebrate Read Across America and the end of her school's reading challenge. The purpose of this night was to educate families on how to use Science of Reading strategies at home, give information about the phonics curriculum, and celebrate a love of reading. Through planning, Ms. Stephens collaborated with a neighboring school, Rivelon Elementary, by inviting them to participate in the family night and our reading challenge. She was able to work with their reading coach and media specialist and virtually meet with other administration from the building. She wanted to begin building a cooperative relationship with the teachers, staff, students, and families of Rivelon before we consolidated in August. In addition, Ms. Stephens involved the Orangeburg County Library in our family night event. Their participation allowed families to know about the programs and support they offer free to our community. Another community resource she used is Mrs. Dantzler at the district office, who works in conjunction with Save the Children. She and her team donated over 50 learning kits and books to families.

By educating families on how to help their children and giving them tools and resources to use at home, Ms. Stephens ensures that education transcends the classroom and connects them to the external community. The family night was a success, and you could see the impact on student learning because over 100 families came to support their children! 

Outside of after-school events, Ms. Stephens deliberately connects her students to the community by providing information about sports they can join, such as His Goals soccer, dance, and/or cheerleading, church activities being held, and other events that would benefit them and their families. She also works to improve the overall school culture by organizing projects that include all staff, students, and families. A project that she has been involved with that has improved her general school culture, brought a community of educators and learners together, and promoted reading was at the beginning of her school’s February “For the Love of Books” Reading Challenge. Her idea, which began last year in 2022, has now become an annual school-wide initiative. This project is now something many students and teachers look forward to with eager participation.

Initially, she wanted to get her own class reading more at home through this reading challenge, and this year, it developed into something even more significant. Every classroom was challenged to read at least 50 books during February. They would record books read on a poster hanging outside their classroom door. Each week, book totals were collected, and the winning class got a small prize- a book the teacher could read aloud with their class! Students were also challenged to read at least 16 books throughout the month and record them on a pre-made reading log. They were encouraged to bring that completed reading log to our family literacy night, which was planned during Read Across America Week, to receive a prize.

Ms. Stephens had the lead role in this project, as it was her vision. She wanted to increase reading participation for young readers school-wide and develop a love of books within the classroom and at home. Ms. Stephens collaborated with the reading coach and all grade level teachers- PreK through 2nd. She explained the revamped reading challenge to each grade level during the January PLC meeting. She gave each teacher their Love of Books classroom reading poster, an information sheet with all the details, and prepared copies of the letter and reading log that would be sent home to all families. Ms. Stephens collaborated with her school’s Instructional Technologist and other staff members to create "hype" videos for her school to view. The videos featured some of the teachers and students reading and dancing. These videos were shared with all staff and were posted to Ms. Stephens' teacher Instagram account, which several of her families follow, allowing them to get excited about reading at home. She made an informational video about the challenge and what was expected in and out of the classroom to promote reading involvement. The was posted to her school’s Facebook page for families, too. Plans are in motion to continue the project every February. Ms. Stephens would love to see it begin in other schools around her district because students and teachers alike got excited about reading! 

"The evidence of student impact is continued reading participation. Also, Rivelon Elementary did this challenge with us, and over 100 reading logs were turned in. I knew reading was taking place outside the classroom, which is very important to build a strong foundation for learning," said Stephens.

Along with participating in several school-wide initiatives, Ms. Stephens is an active National Board candidate and teacher coach through a Peer Review Team within her district that works alongside a local university. This past May, she finished all components to obtain her National Board Certification in Teaching (NBCT) in December. Ms. Stephens has started helping other candidates in her district cohort. She has given PDs, started small group help sessions, and held check-ins. She is passionate about not only the students in her school, but also the district. By helping other teachers obtain their National Board Certification in Teaching, Ms. Stephens can help other students because research shows that students learn up to three times more from NBCT teachers than from non-NBCT teachers. She hopes that one day, all students can be taught by professionals who are genuinely passionate about their jobs and students. Her work on the Peer Review Team has allowed her to encourage and build up other teachers by offering support while increasing student achievement and success, creating a better state, nation, and world for us all.

"I met Silene a few years ago and have watched her grow and evolve into this wonderful teacher. After her nomination and being named runner-up for Teacher of the Year in Orangeburg County, SC. I asked to nominate her for LifeChanger of the Year," said the nominator. "She is amazing, and I knew it from the time I met her! She has a gift, and I hope she continues to strive and use her love of reading to connect and bridge communities- which will eventually break barriers through something as simple as a book. Thank you, Silene, for taking your passion and making it a beacon of light for others."