Candidate for South Carolina President-Elect

Connie Banks

Employed by Spartanburg School District Two

Current Position and Responsibilities: ESOL Teacher at Chesnee Elementary, Middle and High Schools

Professional Background:

· BA in Elementary Education USC

· Masters of Education- SWU

· Add-on Administration and Supervision- GWU

· Doctoral candidate in Educational Administration and Leadership-GWU

· 26 years of teaching experience

o 16 elementary

o 1 adult education- ESOL

o 9 years K-12 ESOL

· Small business owner-16 years

Awards and Achievements:

2010, 2011, 2012 fall conference chair for Carolina TESOL

2010, 2011, 2012 Publisher Liaison for Carolina TESOL

CARE Conference 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012- instrumental in developing a conference that targets mainstream teachers of ESOL students with strategies and support

Presented at National TESOL April 2008

Carolina TESOL Advisory Board member

Honored as Most Inspiring Teacher by a Furman graduate April 2001

Honored by former students as Most Inspiring Teacher several years in Spartanburg District Two

Nominated for South Carolina Teacher of the year 1989

Personal Educational Philosophy: Many years ago I decided to return to college and complete my undergraduate degree in education. This decision was based on the principle of what I expected of teachers for my own children. I have always tried to teach to the best of my ability and to always see that all children can learn and do well if we “help them to believe in themselves”. As a child growing up my Dad always reminded me that a day was not complete unless you learned at least one new thing. I try to encourage my personal children and all those around me with the same attitude; set the bar high and climb! My bar is high for Carolina TESOL.

Why would you be the right person for this position? For a number of years I have been active in the Carolina TESOL organization first as a volunteer at conferences, serving on the advisory board, publisher liaison, fall conference coordinator and Upstate regional representative. At this time I would like to take the leadership skills and help to lead this organization into the 21st Century. Carolina TESOL has grown tremendously and hosting the SE Regional Conference in November 2013 where the theme centers on preparing ESOL students for 21st Century learning, we need a leader to take us to the next level and I am the one.

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