GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Taneika Roper, a fifth-grade teacher at Kensington Elementary School in the Georgetown County School District, has successfully launched the third year of a dedicated boys’ mentoring and leadership initiative. Building on the program’s prior success, organizers have officially expanded its reach this academic year to include third-grade students alongside the existing fourth and fifth-graders.

Roper credits her participation in the REAP (Rewarding Educator Achievement and Performance) initiative at the EPI Center for inspiring the mentorship program. 

The year-three kick-off event welcomed returning mentees and a new class of recruits, setting the stage for a year focused on character development, academic excellence, and community leadership.

“Because of the REAP initiative, I was given the opportunity to serve as a School Improvement and Capacity Building Coach, which allowed me to found this mentoring and leadership initiative for boys at Kensington Elementary,” said Roper. “I want to inform all stakeholders associated with The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation that your impact is still being felt in Georgetown County School District. Your leadership, guidance, and support continue to make waves, and you are forever appreciated.”

The continued success and expansion of the Kensington Elementary mentoring initiative highlights the long-term impact of the REAP program on local educators and their student populations.