Orangeburg County School District Partners with International African American Museum for Enhanced Education

Orangeburg County School District, International African American Museum Enter Partnership

The Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) has recently joined forces with the Charleston-based International African American Museum (IAAM). The acclaimed educational institutions signed a memorandum of understanding, facilitating students’ comprehensive and convenient access to the museum and its diverse resources.

Annual In-person Museum Visits for Select Grades

The innovative agreement entitles all fourth, eighth, and eleventh-grade students within the district to an annual visit to the museum without necessarily incurring transportation or entry fee costs. Remarkably, both parties have agreed to cater to all associated expenses, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to broadening students’ knowledge base and enriching their learning experiences.

Curated In-class Instruction for Similarly Selected Grades

In addition to the museum visits, the IAAM will provide customized, in-class instruction for district third, seventh, and tenth-grade classrooms twice a year. This initiative, only second to one by Charleston County School District, seeks to bring museum education directly to the students, making it part of their normal academic schedule, and providing an immersive, personalized, and exploratory learning environment.

Full Implementation from Fall Semester with Signing Ceremony in Orangeburg

The partnership, scheduled for full implementation from the fall semester, signifies a major step towards integrated, inter-disciplinary learning. To commemorate this progressive alliance, a signing ceremony was held at OCSD headquarters, in Orangeburg. During the ceremony, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster expressed the district’s enthusiasm, noting that the partnership aligns with the district’s mission to help students discover their “person, purpose, and platform.”

Future Expansion and Educator Professional Development Opportunities

Moreover, the partnership anticipates future expansion to include all the other grades in the district. The partnership also offers the added advantage of professional development opportunities for educators, including teacher nights and educator panels.

A Brief about the International African American Museum

The IAAM, located in Charleston, stands at the historic location of Gadsden’s Wharf, which was infamously known as a major entry point for enslaved Africans during the height of the transatlantic slave trade. The museum, which opened its doors to the public on June 27, 2023, provides a thorough recollection of the contributions and influences of Africans and African Americans on the world.

An Opportunity for OCSD to Understand Local and Global Black History

Given the OCSD’s locality, the museum’s exhibits and educational content are of significant importance. Notably, IAAM includes information about Orangeburg and other South Carolina locations with historical ties to African American history. Dr. Felice Knight, IAAM Director of Education, elaborated that offering students a local, statewide, nationwide, and global story is an exciting opportunity for them. She also reported positive feedback from students, expressing their need for more time at the museum, signifying its profound impact.

A Thoughtful Approach to Fostering History Learning

The OCSD leadership team visited the IAAM and vetted its resources, ensuring alignment with the state standards, particularly for the selected grades that study South Carolina history. As part of the partnership, a museum liaison is to work with the district in planning student trips and fostering out-of-classroom learning experiences. This pragmatic approach promises to influence learning positively, by providing OCSD students with considerable exposure to pivotal historical facts, cultures, and sequences.

Invitation to the Museum

Following the symbolic ceremony, Dr. Foster invited everyone to visit the museum. He commended the museum’s representation of the history, sharing a poignant moment reading the names of enslaved two-year-old children. The museum provides a rewarding look at the domestic slavery practices as well, with Orangeburg known for the highest number of domestic slave trade instances in the country. Understanding the place’s historical contribution and significance is essential for the students and community members to appreciate their position in history.