Limestone University Partners With Palmetto State Teachers Association

Limestone University’s Teacher Education Program has reached a partnership agreement to bring a Palmetto State Teachers Association student chapter to its campus in Gaffney. The move represents the latest initiative for the Limestone Teacher Education Program, whose partnership with the Palmetto State Teachers Association will help provide support for the student members of the Limestone Chapter as they enter the teaching profession. The Palmetto State Teachers Association (PSTA) was organized in 1976 and is the largest association for educators in the state of South Carolina. PSTA’s membership is comprised of classroom teachers, administrators, pre-service teachers, and retired educators. The association provides professional development, legislative updates, money-saving discounts, and professional liability coverage for their members. This partnership also allows the Limestone Teacher Education Program to continue its historical involvement in improving the educational opportunities in Cherokee County and the surrounding region. Currently, the program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Education to prepare students for teacher licensure in South Carolina in elementary education, high school-level math, as well as physical education, instrumental music education, and vocal music education for all grade levels. The president of the first PSTA student chapter will be Kensley Scates, who has also served in multiple leadership roles within Limestone’s Teacher Education Program. “The student leadership team is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other student chapters, increase both our capacity as pre-service teachers and our voice, and expand our impact in our profession,” Scates said. “We have a strong team that is interested in growing our pedagogy and our profession, and we are seeking to involve all education majors in the newly formed chapter.” Dr. Virginia Scates, a long-time PSTA member, will serve as Limestone’s faculty advisor for the new chapter and will support the students as they gain valuable experience in teacher leadership, advocacy, and growing their own pedagogy. She currently serves at Limestone as an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, the Department Chair of Education and Kinesiology, and Program Coordinator of Elementary & Early Childhood Education. To learn more about the Limestone University Teacher Education Program, please visit https://www.limestone.edu/teacher-education-program.