Newberry College has shown its commitment to student success in many ways. One way is by partnering with the rich history of the surrounding community. In 2012, Newberry College’s Teacher Education Program was given new life when the college bought Speers Street Elementary School. By 2015, the building was becoming the new home of the Teacher Education Program.
The college’s Teacher Education program has been an immense success. Many of the graduates have gone on to have careers in various levels of education. Some have become Teacher-of-the-Year, and some have received National Board Certifications. The program majors range from early childcare management to secondary education with a variety of concentrations. There are also specialized majors in physical education and music. The program also boasts many societies meant to encourage involvement in the world of education, those being the RETAIN Center of Excellence for Mentoring and Induction of Teachers, the Newberry Education Society, and Call Me MISTER. With such an outstanding reputation, it makes sense that the program would have a building to match.
Speers Street School has long been a fixture in Newberry. The school was once known as Pope School and originally served as a high school. After one year, it became an elementary school. Given its many years in Newberry, its history is storied. In 2012, community members gathered to honor the past of the school and its new life. People associated with the school were invited to bring photos and other mementoes. There was also an opportunity to get a look at the projected renovations of the building, which were drawn up by a former Speers Street student. In 2016, the college hosted a Hard Hat Party. This occasion saw many associated with the school and college. One former student of Speers, Carol Foster, found this even more special, as her daughter was studying to be a teacher. She hoped that this building would become her home for her studies.
The groundbreaking was held in May 2015 and renovations started in September. This project was part of the college’s Scaling the Summit Campaign. As part of the first renovations, the college planned for new roofing and windows to be installed. From there, the interior would be revamped to allow for classrooms, learning labs, offices, and more. In addition to these renovations, upgraded furniture and classroom technology were also provided. These renovations were fueled by generous fundraising, with donator Mike Reid calling the building “a must” and saying, “It’s proximity to campus and original purpose as a school make it ideal as the new home for Teacher Education.” The project came along at an ideal time, with the program boasting its highest enrollment in Newberry’s history.
The project was met with much enthusiasm. Then-vice president for Academic Affairs Timothy Elston said, “The Speers Street space provides for an expansion of services that will allow the College to be the epicenter of leadership development in primary and secondary teacher education.” Mayor Foster Senn noted the important role that this project would have in encouraging people throughout the state to invest in Newberry. Donator Jean Haggard called it “an ideal way for Newberry to continue its legacy of preparing quality teachers for South Carolina.”
In the fall of 2016, the building was ready to go. The building had many great innovations. In addition to the renovations, the building became home to several notable rooms. Gnaan Conference Room has played host to many different events and workshops. The Dufford Diversity Lab has a selection of archives and an exhibit on Dr. William Dufford. There is also a lounge for the students. As recently as 2021, Speers Street School is still making history. During Dufford Diversity Week in October, room 127 became the Nancy Lou Anderson-Glasgow Classroom. Anderson-Glasgow is the college’s first African American graduate and has been very active in the community and in education. She once served as a teacher at Speers Street School.
Speers Street School is just one example of how Newberry College invests in its students. This building has become a testament to the success of the program and the graduates of it. Many great careers in education have started at Speers Street School and many more are sure to come.
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Works Cited:
Annual Report 2015 by Newberry College - Issuu Annual Report 2016 by Newberry College - Issuu Classroom dedicated for Nancy Lou Anderson-Glasgow | Newberry Observer It’s almost done! | Newberry Observer Newberry College | Newberry Breaks Ground on Speers Street Complex Newberry College | Newberry College to Host Speers Street School Event Newberry College | Teacher Education Newberry Launches First Phase of Speers Street School Revitalization (scicu.org) Newberry SC: Speer Street School (newberrysouthcarolina.blogspot.com) Speer Street School, Newberry County, South Carolina (genealogytrails.com) Speers School ready to make new memories | Newberry Observer
