Chosen by a state and national committee of afterschool and summer learning experts, Mike Woods will be one of 20 accepted into the third cohort of South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (S.C.A.L.E). In partnership with The Riley Institute at Furman and the SC Department of Education, South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (S.C.A.L.E) is a 10-month fellowship that prepares individuals across the state to be strong leaders in the field of afterschool and expanded learning.
SCALE aims to aid leaders in maintaining and growing high-quality, evidence-based afterschool and summer learning programs across the state of South Carolina while building local and state support for this important work.
The hybrid in-person and virtual educational experience begins with a weeklong intensive on Furman’s campus. SCALE Fellows will then participate in monthly webinars, take part in a learning journey trip to a nationally acclaimed summer learning program and in-state site swaps, and work on a capstone project related to afterschool or summer learning.
The SCALE curriculum, presented and facilitated by national and local afterschool and summer learning leaders, covers topics such as best-practices program design, program assessment and evaluation, equitable and trauma-informed relationship building skills, arts-integration, and leadership styles. The program is directed by Amy Keely, a leader for two decades in the field of afterschool and summer learning. The curriculum was developed in partnership with a national advisory committee, chaired by Dr. Terry Peterson and including experts from the Afterschool Alliance, South Carolina Afterschool Alliance, multiple school districts, and outstanding local programs. A lead facilitator, Ron Fairchild, president and CEO of Smarter Learning Group, ties all of the learnings together and works closely with fellows during the year to help them develop their individual SCALE Up Project plans. Participant fellows will receive continuing education hours for their participation.
The Director of Programs & Evaluations Michael Woods received his bachelor’s degree in business administration/management from Limestone College. With over two decades in the field, he has nonprofit and youth development experience. He is a graduate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Advanced Leadership Program. Additionally, he is an alumnus of the Fred R. Sheheen Non-Profit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University.
Woods is a native of Florence and has been connected to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area since his teenage years. His early participation in the Boys & Girls Club led to summer and part-time employment. Since 2001, he has served in various full-time capacities throughout the organization including Director of Special Programs, Unit Director, Development Director, and Director of Programs & Evaluations. He is a husband and father of one daughter.
For more information about the SCALE program, visit https://www.furman.edu/riley/public-education/initiatives/south-carolina-afterschool-leaders-empowered/. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, visit www.bgcpda.org.
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