RICHMOND COUNTY - As the month of August begins, teachers across the country are starting to say “good-bye” to their sunny summer days and say “hello” to their freshly-waxed classroom floors and newly-purchased organizational bins.
And while these teachers take their first steps towards returning to a full-time work schedule, it so becomes time for their administrators and central office staff members, who’ve been working hard all summer long, to attend their annual leadership retreat.
Held at the Church of God of Prophecy in Rockingham on Thursday, August 3rd, this year’s Richmond County Schools’ leadership retreat began just like any other – with coffee.
Following a period of casual conversation over hot coffee and donuts, the staff engaged in a series of presentations and discussions regarding district data from last year and the projections for this coming year. Such discussions served as a precursor to the second session of the day which focused upon revisiting the district’s goals.
But after lunch, things took a very interesting, and competitive, turn.
Rather than sitting through another informative session about the latest research-based instructional methods, the crowd of eager educators embarked upon an “Amazing Race”-inspired scavenger hunt across the county.
Organized by Seth Allen of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and Rockingham Middle School teacher Rebecca Pierce, this engaging event, referred to as “Chamber Chase” due to its affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce, had the group of educators racing to all corners of the county.
“The Chamber was more than happy to help the school system by supplying activities and score sheets to help them with their teambuilding day,” expressed Allen. “It was great to see the competitive side of some of these educators as well!”
Before the activity organizers could say “Go,” the teams of competitors were already racing out the door and towards the surprises and challenges awaiting them at the event’s 12 participating businesses. Inspired by the unique identity and flare of each business, the challenges pushed the adventurous administrators out of their comfort zone and into a wide range of activities (e.g., jumping on a trampoline at Dance Sensations; blindly identifying flowers at Hillside Florist; assembling a princess puzzle at Richmond County Hospice; etc.).
In the spirit of education, the challenges didn’t end there as the event organizers included a few “extra credit” opportunities for the teams to complete along the way. These challenges, submitted in the form of a team selfie, had the competitors visiting additional local landmarks. Stops included the Bostic School House; the area’s largest strawberry; schools they once called home; and the doorsteps of school board members, both past and present.
Such extra credit opportunities were not enough of a competitive advantage for some teams though, as several cut-throat competitors engaged in a little sabotage and cheating throughout the experience. One culprit, who was not clearly identified, stole Dr. Wendy Kelly Jordan’s car keys and hid them within her car, causing Jordan’s team to suffer substantial time loss. Other teams resorted to intentionally blocking the exit from the church parking lot at the beginning of the race in an effort to delay the start of other teams. Trash talking was additionally experienced by all and speeding was also suspected, although no tickets were issued as proof of that.
Following the intense period of competition, it would come as no surprise that the coveted gold medal and corresponding bragging rights would be clenched by the district’s leaders, Dr. Cindy Goodman, Dr. Jeff Maples, Dr. Julian Carter, and Mr. Dennis Quick.
Regardless of whether a team finished first, last, or somewhere in between, the event was a victory for all involved. From the camaraderie created within each team to the new relationships established with each participating local business, it is moments like these that prove Team Richmond County Schools really is “Better Together.”
