Richland Two educator receives national Service-Learning award

Beverly Hiott, lead teacher for service-learning and civic engagement in Richland School District Two, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership Award.

The award, given by the National Youth Leadership Council and the State Farm® Companies Foundation, was presented today at the 20th Annual National Service-Learning Conference.   It recognizes those who have equipped young people to lead and serve, both through their direct work with youth and by nurturing others to expand their service-learning skills and knowledge.

“South Carolina has long been recognized as a national leader in service-learning,” said State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.  “Beverly’s receipt of this prestigious award demonstrates again that our state is on target when it comes to ensuring that our students are able to compete in the global economy while improving their communities.  I commend her and challenge other educators and districts to use this teaching method to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”         

Hiott has been a service-learning practitioner for more than 15 years. She oversees Richland School District Two’s programs, providing information, training and technical assistance to more than 20 district schools, as well others throughout the state and nation.

A member of the Southern Region Leadership Team of the National Service-Learning Exchange, Hiott is a teacher-in-residence with the International Center for Service-Learning and Teacher Education at Clemson University. She has also served as a Kellogg Service-Learning peer consultant, earned a service-learning fellowship with the National Society for Experiential Education and was a founding member of the ASCD Service and Experiential Learning Network.

State Farm and the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) have a unique partnership to support service-learning programs that provide opportunities for students to have a direct impact on their communities by applying academic skills to real-world issues.

Service-learning enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their schools and communities, and integrating the service with established learning objectives.  It emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving, and tackles real issues such as hunger, ecological concerns and diversity.

NYLC has been at the center of community service and service-leaning programs and policy development since 1983.  It annually convenes The National Service-Learning Conference, which included participants from 50 states and 41 countries in 2008.  NYLC also offers adult and youth trainings, runs model programs and develops service-learning curricula.

State Farm® is the leading insurer of cars and homes in North America.