News from EPI Center

The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) is currently seeking certified English Language Arts and Elementary Education teachers to join the IMPACT program. IMPACT, which stands for Improvement Science Propels Achievement and Critical Teaching, offers a chance for local educators to transform their classrooms and make a real difference in their communities. IMPACT equips educators with the tools and data-driven strategies to reach every student individually. The goal is to help teachers “teach to each,” creating long-term educational and economic opportunities for their students.

Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell, CEO of the EPI Center, and Dr. Cinthia Wolfe, Director of Administration and Leadership Development recently attended the Orangeburg County School District Board of Trustees meeting to celebrate EPI supported and funded educators

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) is proud to announce that it has successfully assisted nearly two dozen educators in navigating the prestigious, rigorous path to National Board Certification.

Dr. Kendrick Barnes, a sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Irmo Middle School in Lexington-Richland School District Five, has been selected as the WLTX-TV Teacher of the Week.

COLUMBIA, SC — Three South Carolina educators with connections to the EPI Center are being celebrated for achieving prestigious state and national milestones, demonstrating that dedicated instructional coaching leads to school-wide success.

Education is clearly a family affair for Amanda Charley and LaToya Johnson. The two sisters, both educators in the Orangeburg County School District, were recently honored as “Teacher of the Year” at their respective schools.

EPI Center CEO, Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell and a group of phenomenal educators recently joined Cynthia Hardy on the OnPoint Show to share their stories of grit and success. If you’ve struggled with your Praxis exams, these “TESTimonies” are for you.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) recently hosted its Literacy Summit and Convening, a premier event that brought together over 200 educators from across South Carolina. The summit focused on advancing evidence-based practices and innovative strategies to elevate literacy instruction and professional development.

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. – A new class of aspiring teachers celebrated the start of their journey at an orientation held in Columbia this past weekend. The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) welcomed current and future educators from across South Carolina into its EPIC (Educators Prepared to Impact Communities) Registered Apprenticeship program. The two-day event was filled with learning, inspiration, and community building for all the participants.

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. – The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) proudly announces its pivotal role alongside Voorhees University in a groundbreaking partnership with Accra College of Education in the Republic of Ghana. This collaboration establishes the EPI Center as the premier provider of high-quality, professional development for teachers. Ghana’s Minister for Education, the Honorable Haruna Iddrisu has officially endorsed the signed Memorandum of Understanding, signaling strong governmental support for this initiative.