By Jordan Beach
Students of the Cherokee County School District with plans to become teachers and attend Reinhardt University will have the opportunity to receive scholarship thanks the efforts of those who remain devoted to education.
The Cherokee Retired Educators Association (CREA) made a generous donation of $3,000 on July 17 to Reinhardt University President Dr. Kina Mallard to be awarded to a CCSD graduate who attends Reinhardt University’s Price School of Education.
“As retired educators, we know the importance of educating the upcoming new teachers and because of that, we want to relieve some of the burden of paying for schooling and also to show our support for those who are starting out as new teachers,” said CREA President and Reinhardt alumna Susan Buice ‘77.
“Reinhardt is grateful to the Cherokee Retired Teachers Association’s continued dedication and support of Reinhardt University students,” said President Kina Mallard. “Investing in the future of teachers in Cherokee County benefits everyone, and these retirees understand better than anyone. They understand what it’s like to be in the classroom, to save for college and to ultimately educate the next generation. It is fitting that in their retirement they continue to support students who will one day walk down the path they have created in education in our community.”
Buice is a great example of how successful Price School of Education students can become, as shown from her 34 years as a teacher in Cherokee County. Now retired since 2014, Buice taught her first 20 years at Canton Elementary, teaching sixth- and seventh-grade Language Arts for the first three years, gifted classes in grades three through eight for the following three years, and returned to sixth-grade language arts for the remainder of her time.
Following her time at Canton Elementary, Buice taught advanced placement literature and various other English classes for 14 years at Cherokee High School and was advanced placement department head for the final six years of her career. Throughout her time educating, she taught a night class for the Price School of Education.
“Reinhardt is here in our community, and we want to support our community, so we’re excited to support the students who are going to become teachers here at Reinhardt,” Buice said.
Buice remained involved in the community after retiring by working as director of education at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. She was also named Alumnae of the Year for Cherokee County Schools and inducted into the Cherokee County Teacher Hall of Fame.
The Cherokee Retired Educators Association has provided scholarships to students attending Reinhardt University for the past 16 years. The first scholarship was awarded in 2003 and since have ranged from $500 to $3,000. Funding for the scholarship is provided by CREA members and CREA sponsor Ned Castleberry.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be admitted to the Price School of Education, maintain a GPA of 3.75 and be a Cherokee County resident. Faculty votes on the recipients in August, and the awarded students attend the CREA meeting in December to be introduced and give thanks.
