More than 100 educators, parents, and community leaders gathered on June 10 at the Harbour Club for Cocktails for a Cause, an inspiring evening focused on Charleston’s growing literacy movement and the urgent need for action in South Carolina classrooms.
Nearly two-thirds of South Carolina students are not reading proficiently. Yet, on average, teachers receive less than two instructional hours in their preparation programs focused on how to teach those students effectively (National Council on Teacher Quality).
Cocktails for a Cause was a spotlight on what is working. The evening featured educators and literacy leaders involved in the Lowcountry Literacy Project, a grassroots initiative that trains teachers in the Orton-Gillingham (OG) — an evidence-based, systematic approach aligned with the science of reading.
Panelists included Jennifer Pinkelman (first grade teacher at Jennie Moore Elementary), Jen Waite (second grade teacher at James B Edwards Elementary), Jodi Dangerfield (reading interventionist at S. Andrew’s School of Math and Science), Beth Jacobs (Assistant Principal), and OG Fellows Catherine Hagberg and Susan Nyman, who are leading the training and implementation efforts in public schools across Charleston County.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Christi Ascue Kershaw shared her story about the difficulty in finding the reading intervention her daughter needed, which was not available in her school. In addition, Catherine Hagberg shared data from one of the project’s partner schools: 97% of students receiving OG intervention met their English Language Arts (ELA) growth goal—and of that group, 51% were pupils in poverty. This success highlights the program’s ability to close persistent achievement gaps by reaching the students who need it most.
“We’re closing achievement gaps by investing in what we know works,” said Lindsey Ballenger, Co-Founder and Board Chair. “This work is about investing in educators so that every child—regardless of background—has the chance to become a confident reader.”
The evening was moderated by award-winning News 2 anchor Octavia Mitchell, who guided a heartfelt discussion around how this training is transforming school culture, teacher confidence, and student outcomes.
Guests also viewed the trailer for an upcoming documentary that tells the story of the Lowcountry Literacy Project’s growth and impact through the voices of teachers, students, and families. The full documentary will premiere this fall.
The Ideal Life Foundation sponsored educator tickets to the event, ensuring that those closest to the work could be honored and included. One of the night’s most celebrated moments was a group photo of educators who are leading this movement across Charleston County.