New center designed to re-energize, retain S.C. teachers

A new, first-of-its-kind teacher retreat center will be built in an effort to stop Palmetto State teachers from leaving their profession.

Clemson University and the state Education Department announced on Thursday a partnership to create a Teacher Renewal Center in Pickens County to help retain the best teachers.

The center will focus less on traditional training activities and more on inspiring teachers spiritually and physically. It will try to reconnect teachers to what initially led them to the classroom.

"The emphasis is not going to be on (academic) content, although there will be some of that," said state schools Superintendent Jim Rex. "It's going to be on experiences and reflection and helping them renew and rejuvenate themselves as people and professionals."

It's important for teachers to have opportunities to refresh themselves, and for the most part, the state hasn't provided that opportunity, he said.

The center will include a hotel, restaurant and conference complex on the Keowee River. It will serve teams of up to 25 kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers statewide during free, weeklong residential seminars.

Jim Anthony, the chief executive officer and founder of the exclusive Cliffs Communities, has donated $10 million and more than 355 acres of land to make the center a reality. He also has pledged to raise $15 million from the private sector for startup funds.

Read more in tomorrow's Post and Courier.