Grand Strand Technology Council - Adult Education Center

GS Tech Council Awards

GS Technology Council

Jim Pate represents Horry County Schools Adult Education
at the Grand Strand Technology Council awards program.

Grand Strand Technology Leadership &
Innovation Award Winners Announced

The Winner in the Technology in Education category is Dr. Virginia Simmons, Director of Adult Education for Horry County Schools.

Under Dr. Simmons' leadership, HCS Adult Education has moved from a position of having very few computers to having five computer labs equipped with Computer Aided instruction for computer literacy, reading programs, math programs, English as a second language programs, virtual high school classes, pre GED and GED online; and the addition of two virtual teachers to assist students in these labs.

Teachers are using SMARTBoards and document cameras in the classroom and laptops and LCD projectors have almost replaced the whiteboards. Kindles for academic use were purchased as a pilot project last year and this year, iPADS have been purchased for all full-time teachers. In addition, all Adult Education students are participating in the credentialed program of WorkKeys.

Dr. Simmons has worked with district personnel to include adult education teachers--once left out of technology purchases--in the laptop initiative and now the SMARTBoard initiative. She has written numerous grants for computers and the computer labs. She has also written grants to secure programs like, "Tell Me More" which is now being used with the ESL population and the basic students. Dr. Virginia Simmons has been recognized by the adult education world as a technology leader.