Furman alums earn GCS honors

Kim Brice ’11, Joseph Foster ’13 and Holly Rushton were recently chosen for special awards as top employees of Greenville County Schools.

Foster, the Freshman Class Assistant Principal at Wade Hampton High School, was named Assistant School Administrator of the Year. Brice, an instructional coach at Bethel Elementary School, was selected as School Support Staff Employee of the Year, while Rushton, a teacher at Brushy Creek Elementary, was chosen as an Outstanding Science Teacher by the Greenville County Science Teachers Association (GCSTA).

Rushton, a fifth grade teacher at Brushy Creek Elementary School, was recognized by GCSTA for her “commitment to great science” in her classroom. Students are actively engaged in Rushton’s classroom, learning everything from how to protect the earth’s ocean shore zone to how to use HUE cameras to make stop-motion animation movies. She is pursuing her M.A. degree in education with a concentration in literacy from Furman.

In his four years at Wade Hampton High, Foster has made significant strides in the Freshmen Academy, according to the school district. He requires evidence-based grading, which means students must show mastery of the work before a grade is received. He ensures that teachers have common planning periods to provide adequate time to discuss student learning. This has resulted in a 99.4 percent promotion rate among freshmen last school year. Foster works with students to develop “soft skills” such as time management and perseverance. He also works diligently with ESOL students to help them assimilate into the culture of an American high school and feel a strong sense of belonging. He earned his M.A. degree in education with a concentration in school leadership from Furman in 2013.

Brice is known for making personal connections with the staff at Bethel Elementary. Her enthusiasm is contagious, drawing in teachers who have had a rough day only to leave her office with their spirits lifted, according to the district. Brice supports new teachers by modeling lessons and through quarterly meetings known as “Quarters with Kim.” She is always supportive and ready to pause her work to help teachers with questions or concerns. The staff describes her as having an infectious smile and energetic attitude. She earned her M.A. degree in education with a concentration in school leadership from Furman in 2011.

Both Brice and Foster received $500 cash and a special award commissioned by Greenville Federal Credit Union during the district’s recent Salute to Education banquet.  Their schools also received $500 cash in their honor.

Left: Bethel Elementary’s Kim Brice ’11 was named Greenville County School Support Staff Employee of the Year. She is shown with Matt Tebbetts, Vice President of Marketing for Greenville Federal Credit Union, left, and GCS Superintendent Dr. W. Burke Royster. Right: Holly Rushton teaching in her classroom at Brushy Creek Elementary School. (Award ceremony photos courtesy of Greenville County Schools)