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Center for Knowledge-North teacher named October Rookie Teacher of the Block

11/4/2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland School District Two Center for Knowledge teacher Jessica Grice has been named the October 2019 Rookie Teacher of the Block. The award is sponsored by H&R Block, a dedicated partner of the district.

Grice learned she had won the award in a surprise announcement in front of the entire CFK student body and her father.

In her nomination of Grice, Jessica Agee, director of CFK and CFK North, describes a resourceful, brave and engaged new teacher. Her classroom runs almost “seamlessly” due to the emphasis on systems for organization. But it’s not all routine and data collection. Grice is also her students’ most steadfast cheerleader.

“Each day when a student makes an improvement, whether it is academic, socially or behavioral, she takes the opportunity to stop by the office and publicly celebrate that child’s success,” Agee said. “Upon talking to her about it, I’ll often say, ‘You should let her parents know.’ More often than not she responds that she’s already taken the initiative to reach out to the parent to share the great news.”

RTOTB winners receive a plaque to hang outside their door, a Kindle Fire for their personal use, gifts from H&R block and a unique trophy designed by the 3D Printing class at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2).