This spring, Presbyterian College’s education department hosted the ninth annual Charles Chadwell Special Education Institute.

Fifty educators from across the state attended the two-hour virtual workshop, which featured guest lecturer Beverly Holden Johns, as award-winning learning and behavioral consultant.

Holden presented “Why Are Children’s Behaviors So Challenging and What Can We Do?” and discussed stressors that impact behavior. She also presented commonly used classroom management techniques that may cause additional stress to some students, effective classroom management techniques, and strategies for helping students and educators remain calm during difficult situations.

Participants included students and professors from PC, as well as local teachers, administrators, and school psychologists from Laurens County School District 56, Thornwell Charter School, and Laurens County School District 55. Attendees also came from the University of South Carolina Aiken; professors from Newberry College and South Carolina State University; and educators from Dorchester School District Two, Fort Mill School District, Greenville County School District, Lancaster County School District, Richland School District Two, School District of Newberry County, Spartanburg District Five, and Sumter School District.

Guests also were treated to a special visit from Ann Chadwell-Humphries, a poet who spoke about her late father, Dr. Charles Chadwell III, the former superintendent of Whitten Center in Clinton.

Feedback from the institute was extremely positive, with attendees describing the event as “powerful,” “excellent,” and “super helpful.” Multiple participants expressed their eagerness to apply strategies from the presentation in their classrooms and schools.

The Charles Chadwell Institute is possible due to the legacy of Chadwell and his work with individuals with special needs. Frances and Jean Cothran established an endowment at Presbyterian College in honor of Dr. Chadwell and his work at the Whitten Center where their son was a resident. This endowment provides for the annual institute as well as scholarship opportunities for students who major in special education at PC.