VOLUME 1

Jennifer McMillian

Jackson STEM Magnet Middle School

Welcome to the first edition of PEP TALK, a monthly column from Public Education Partners (PEP) honoring the creativity, innovation, and dedication of some of Aiken County’s finest public school teachers.  These teachers have received a PEP Teacher Innovation Classroom Grant for an exceptional project designed to enhance student learning.

Jennifer McMillian has taught in Aiken County Public Schools for 24 years, the last 2 at the Jackson STEM Magnet Middle School.  Because Jackson focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), virtually all 350 students pass through Ms. McMillian’s classroom.  Ms. McMillian is highly qualified in her field with a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Elementary Education, an IMA (interdisciplinary Master of Arts) in Natural Science, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Ms. McMillian won a $483 PEP Innovation Grant this Spring for a new program for her students to learn how to recycle, what to recycle, and collect recyclable materials around the school.  Students will also be able to actively participate in the Aiken County Engineering Design process by designing the best method for recycling pick-up, and the most efficient routes on the school campus.

The PEP Innovation Grants are given twice a year and provide valuable resources for Aiken County public school teachers.  As Ms. McMillian noted, “this grant not only provides me with the funding needed to purchase supplies to recycle around the school but will motivate students to learn more about sustainability and being more eco-friendly.”

Ms. McMillian is just one of nearly 1600 teachers in Aiken County public schools dedicated to excellence in Aiken County Public Schools.  PEP is proud to be the only non-profit in Aiken County focused solely on supporting the public school system.  For more information on PEP, to apply for an Innovation Grant, or to support PEP programs, please visit PEPAiken.org. or our Facebook page.

Public Education Partners:  Harnessing the power of our community to enhance student learning and support educators in the Aiken County Public School District