Kenya Nelson, 10 years.

Rebekah Powell, 5 years.

Robert Butler, Special Volunteer.

Courtney Johnson, 2018 Employee of the Year!

Kim Cimney – January 2019 Star Teacher of the Month

Kim Cimney has been teaching English and Journalism at West Florence High School for the past 22 years.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University, holds certification in Gifted & Talented education and AP Literature and is a twice-certified National Board teacher.  Kim is West Florence’s Teacher of the Year, co-chair of the English department and a Literacy Design Curriculum lead teacher. She has presented at the SC Teachers of English Conference and is a board member of the SC Scholastic Press Association as well as a member of West Florence’s School Improvement Council.  

Kim’s favorite part of teaching is seeing the growth in students throughout the semester or year.  Her approach to education is very student-centered where students are discussing, learning, making meaning for themselves and applying the lessons to their lives.  Kim works hard to make connections with her students and the content she is teaching. “That goes to building relationships with the students. They know I care about them and their successes. I try to give them value in what we do in class by connecting it to something that they are interested in,” Cimney said.

Congratulations to Kim Cimney, the January 2019 Pee Dee Federal Credit Union Star Teacher of the Month! 

Kenya presents a check donation to Decar Brown, Director of Operations, Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee Area.

Pictured are: Courtney, Kayla, Kenya, Decar, Priscilla and Mickie.

Lenora Rivers-Davis – February 2019 Star Teacher of the Month

Lenora Rivers-Davis has been teaching for nineteen years.  For the past twelve years, she has taught English at Wilson High School.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English secondary education from South Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration of literacy from Lesley University.  Mrs. Rivers-Davis, Wilson High School's Teacher of the Year, serves as the English department chair, Literacy Design Curriculum lead teacher, the school's instructional literacy facilitator, and the Teacher Cadet instructor.  She has presented at the Southern Regional Education Board Conference, multiple SC Teachers of English Conferences, and various professional development workshops for Florence One.  She is also a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, Palmetto State Teachers Association, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Rivers-Davis believes that every student can learn, and every student learns differently. As a teacher, she finds it rewarding when students comprehend. "I love to see the process of critical thinking and self-discovery, especially when my scholars think the concept or task is too rigorous," said Rivers-Davis. She encourages her students to strive to excel and to live a purpose filled life. Mrs. Rivers-Davis noted, "I believe in walking in one's calling; teaching is my calling.  I was aware of this calling from the age of four. When my students graduate from high school and they matriculate through college, military, or the workforce, I feel a sense of pride that they are fulfilling their life's calling and are impacting their community and our world."

Congratulations to Lenora Rivers-Davis, the February 2019 Pee Dee Federal Credit Union Star Teacher of the Month! 

Educational Sessions are back! Mark your calendars and Save the Date!  All sessions will be at 4:00pm in the PDFCU board room. Light refreshments will be served.

• March 20th:   "One Shot Banking and More." Hosted by Valerie Mazyck.

• May 15th   "How to Detect Schemes, Scams & Frauds." Hosted by Rosa Butler.

• June 19th   "Debit Card Usage for Seniors." Hosted by Priscilla Hickson.

• September 4th “Do You REALLY need Insurance?” Hosted by Connie and Mickie.

Linda Anderson, Loan Manager,  presents a check donation to Allie Walker, Director, Help4Kids.

Pictured are: Joyce, Priscilla, Kenya, Allie ,Courtney, Linda, Connie and Mickie.

Patricia Nunnally-March 2019 Star Teacher of the Month

Patricia Nunnally is a sixth-grade special education teacher at Timrod Elementary School. She has been named the 2018 National University System - Sanford Teacher Award winner for South Carolina. The Sanford Teacher Award honors teachers who have empathy for students, foster positive relationships with all students, create a positive learning environment and recognize student strengths.

Read more: https://www.scnow.com/news/education/article_0a604f68-f36e-11e8-a1e4-d3b82686f67c.html

CONGRATULATIONS TO PATRICIA NUNNALLY , THE MARCH 2019 PEE DEE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION STAR TEACHER OF THE MONTH! 

Alexandra Sirbu-Green – January 2019 Star Teacher of the Month

Alexandra Sirbu-Green is a strong believer in individual needs when it comes to teaching and believes that teaching must begin where students are and have a clear purpose where students need to be. Alexandra is motivated to be the best teacher she can be every day and be a positive influence in her students’ lives.

Alexandra is originally from Alba-Iulia, Romania and came to the United States after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, from Babes-Bolyai University, in 2007. In June, 2013, she received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the same university. Alexandra has been an educator for students with exceptional needs for 12 years, in various settings and grades at elementary level.

Before transferring to Florence One, Alexandra served as an exceptional needs teacher in Sumter County and Marlboro County. In Marlboro County, at Bennettsville Intermediate School she served as the Teacher of the Year for the 2013-2014 school year. Shortly after that she moved to Florence and began working at Savannah Grove Elementary School to serve students with exceptional needs, where she continues to serve today. At Savannah Grove Elementary she served as the Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year. Alexandra has also earned National Board Certification Status in 2018.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALEXANDRA SIRBU-GREEN, THE MARCH 2019 PEE DEE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION STAR TEACHER OF THE MONTH! 

Bryant Hicks - Star Teacher of the Month May 2019

Mr. Bryant Hicks is a resource/inclusion teacher at Savannah Grove Elementary.  He takes pride in supporting the development of the young people he works with both academically and socially.  He has a M. Ed Degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from Francis Marion University.  This year, he also earned National Board Certification as a Special Needs Specialist.  Only he and Mrs. Sirbu-Green, also of Savannah Grove, achieved this distinct honor in Florence One Schools this school year.  This is his twelfth year as an educator, and fourth year at Savannah Grove. 

Bryant lives in Florence with his wife Jenny.  They have two beautiful sons, Owen and Everett.  While he is originally from Columbus, Ohio, he has made Florence his permanent home!  Bryant enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching football, reading, trips to the beach, camping, and playing sports.  He looks forward to serving Florence One Schools and the Florence community for many more years to come.