SWU News:

February 16, 2004

SWU graduate named to USA Today’s teacher team

Jerry Robertson of Forest Acres Elementary, Easley, SC. Photo by Conrad LaRosa

EASLEY, S.C. -- Jerry Robertson smiles and quietly compliments a student on his work as other students raise their hands, eager to read their compositions to the class.

This was the scene in Mr. Robertson’s special education class at Forest Acres Elementary School in Easley recently.

Robertson has earned the devotion of his students as well as the admiration of his peers. The Southern Wesleyan University alumnus has been named to USA Today’s 2003 All-USA Teacher Team. Robertson was one of 20 teachers in the nation who were named to the team, an honor given for outstanding teaching. He was nominated for the award by Forest Acres Elementary Principal Betty Randolph.

“Every child is special and deserves the chance to reach his or her potential,” according to Robertson. “School, like every other institution in life, is set upon an unequal playing field. Not everyone has the same opportunities, abilities and learning styles. This should not, however, get in the way of any child striving to achieve his or her goals in life.

Robertson’s self-contained classroom includes third to fifth grade students. His students are academically at least two years behind other students their age.

“They just require an extra level of attention. They can be very successful,” he said. “I love going to work every day.”

Robertson “gave up a lucrative floral business at 40 to teach kids with learning disabilities after struggles with his special needs son,” according to USA Today. His son, now 29, had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and was the source of inspiration for Robertson’s pursuing a teaching career.

“School was a nightmare for him and for me,” Robertson said. “I decided to continue my education and try to make a difference. I would try to find a way to reach any child in my path – those who are lost or discouraged. I’ve made it my mission to help those children.”

Robertson received his education at Southern Wesleyan’s Central campus. His father is also a graduate of the university and was a teacher in Pickens County. Robertson also had an aunt who graduated from SWU.

“I felt I needed an environment that was safe and nurturing, with a Christian approach,” Robertson said of his decision to attend Southern Wesleyan. “I love learning. As students, we challenged each other. I loved every minute of it.”

His only regret was that he didn’t start this part of his education earlier in life, Robertson said. “But I never would have been the student I was if I was taking those classes at age 21,” Robertson said.

One of Robertson’s education professors at Southern Wesleyan University, Winnie Williams, is proud of Robertson’s success.

“One of the rewards of being a retired professor is that of seeing former students become successful teachers and contribute appreciably to the lives of their students. This has been the case for Jerry Robertson, a student at SWU in the late 1980’s. Jerry came to SWU as a husband, father and, in addition, maintained a private business. In spite of these commitments, Jerry was steadfast in developing skills necessary to becoming a special education teacher,” Williams said. “After having taught Jerry in four classes and directing his student teaching, I was well aware of his diligence, motivation and excellent teaching skills, which have persisted during his 14-year teaching career.”

Being an older student was no drawback for Robertson, who quickly won the affection of his fellow students, Williams said.

Jerry Robertson of Forest Acres Elementary, Easley, SC. Photo by Conrad LaRosa

“Another exemplary characteristic of Jerry’s is his winsome personality. Fellow students were extremely warmhearted toward Jerry even though he was several years older than most of the students,” she said. “I recall that when his first daughter was born, the class in which he was enrolled that semester gave him a surprise baby shower after class one day. I can not recall such an event as this happening before, but it was a result of Jerry’s loving and caring attitude toward everyone.”

Now that he has been teaching for 14 years, Robertson is witnessing the long-term success of many of his students.

“It’s great to see them having jobs and children,” he said.

Many of Robertson’s class projects have practical applications and teach the students skills for their careers and lives. This year, his class is adopting a Meals on Wheels recipient for the rest of the school year to help provide food for a shut-in person who needs food delivered at home.

“Even though some of our children don’t have everything they need, they’re bringing in canned food for this recipient,” he said. “We teach by doing. They’re very capable.”

Other projects included a school canteen for Robertson’s students to learn business practices and to provide lunches during a time of construction in the school’s cafeteria.

“It’s the best way to teach business and money management,” Robertson said of the project. “We learned how to deal with the public. It was to teach life skills in a fun way. Even the cafeteria ladies were eating with us.”

Other examples of Robertson’s class businesses were the Wee Deliver Mail service that delivered internal mail at the school and a campus greenhouse.

“That’s a motivation for my students. They love the greenhouse,” he said. “They’re in charge of it, therefore they are important.”

Robertson was one of five finalists for South Carolina’s state Teacher of the Year, chosen from among 45,000 teachers in the state. He was hesitant, however, to even be nominated for the award.

“I really didn’t want to do it. I don’t teach for the recognition. I was almost overwhelmed with the attention,” he said.

There have been many positive results, however, from the accolades he has received. “My students have been included a lot. The class received letters from across the U.S. and we even got some presents,” he said.

The teaching awards have also been a springboard from which Robertson can launch his ideas about the education system.

“It’s resulted in the opportunity to speak about special education,” he said. “My message is that we need to be proactive. Every child can be successful. We just need to recognize that there are different levels of success.”