Colber named Pendleton High Teacher of the Year
Dr. Cheryl Colber, adjunct professor of education at Southern Wesleyan University and cooperating teacher for the university’s program in Special Education, was named Teacher of the Year at Pendleton High School.
Colber has taught 23 years in public schools and has been at Pendleton High since January 2008. A favorite fifth-grade teacher inspired her to pursue a teaching career and showed her how to make learning fun with hands-on activities and storytelling.
“My fifth-grade teacher saw the good in me. I wasn’t an ‘A-plus’ student or on the honor roll,” Colber said. “She encouraged me that I could do better – I’ll never forget that.”
Colber’s service as an educator may come as a surprise, considering that she came from a lower-income family that didn’t value education. Her motivation to rise above those circumstances resulted in Colber becoming the first in her family to attend college and earn a degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree in middle grades education at Mercer University, her master of education degree from Georgia Southwestern University and her Ph.D. from Capella University.
“God made me who I am,” she said, adding that if she grew up with a different sort of background she wouldn’t have become a teacher.
When Colber received her degree, she was unable to find a position teaching middle school in her area. But the special education director for Telfair County (Ga.) schools asked her about taking a special education position, which is where she has spent most of her teaching career.
Working with exceptional learners in school has its rewards. Colber points out a successful program where students from other areas of the school spend a class period interacting with her students. Such an interaction not only promotes a better understanding of special education, but it also helps her students to gain confidence when learning a skill.
“Their communications skills have tripled,” Colber said of her students. “My kids are visible in the building. We get them out of the classroom and into the community.” She feels blessed to have had great student helpers, many of whom quickly overcome fears of interacting with exceptional learners and see a warm loving caring environment.
Colber has been an adjunct faculty member at Southern Wesleyan since 2011, teaching special education courses as well as courses in community relations. She has taught classes at Southern Wesleyan’s Central campus and Greenville education center, as well as online since 2011.
“I learn as much from the students as I teach, really,” Colber said. “They come from everywhere to see what’s going on in classroom and to share ideas. The collaboration is wonderful.”
With regional education centers conveniently located across South Carolina, as well as fully online programs for select degrees, Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, visit swu.edu.