The “It” Audience
Forget the Sunday morning talk shows – the new “it” audience for political discourse in South Carolina is known simply as “Miss Payne’s class.”
Just check out the recent guest list …
House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
Attorney General Henry McMaster.
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom.
Representatives Nikki Haley and Nathan Ballentine.
FITS Founding Editor Sic Willie.
Not bad … and these are just a few of the prominent South Carolina politicos who have paid visits to Kelly Payne’s current issues class at Dutch Fork High School over the last few months, helping turn this suburban public school classroom into a forum for some of the state’s hottest political discussion – not to mention a blog sensation in its own right.
“These are some seriously informed kids who follow the issues closer than many of our elected officials do,” said FITS founding editor Sic Willie, who has spoken to Miss Payne’s class twice. “They ask tough questions and expect straight answers. It’s inspiring to see what Kelly has done with this class.”
The latest guest speaker at Miss Payne’s class was S.C. Policy Council President Ashley Landess, who addressed the students yesterday along with Policy Council Communications Director Bryan Cox.
“The kids had lots of questions on everything from why online check registers are essential to good government all the way to philosophical questions like the merits of minimum ages for holding a drivers license or drinking alcohol,” Cox told FITS. “It was a great discussion and we were really impressed how her students have been taught to contemplate and debate all sides of an issue.”
We’ve heard Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer may be paying a visit to Miss Payne’s class in the next few months, and that the governor may soon follow.
Like our bud Nathan Ballentine said the other day … who’s got next?
Update: Here’s a pic of Landess and Cox with Miss Payne’s class …
Comments
By Tradd on February 12th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Lets get T-Rav in there to show those dorks what all the cool kids at the state house do in their free time.
By Toyota Kawaski on February 12th, 2009 at 11:04 am
No wonder we have failing schools
By Columbia Attorney on February 12th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I have two children at Dutch Fork who make attendance for Ms. Payne’s guest speakers a priority. I applaud her efforts in providing students with a peek at the innerworkings of the state’s government and duties of its constitutional officers. Payne provides a fair and balanced approach, without regard to party affiliation or agenda. I can confirm speculation that an invitation to speak in Payne’s class is becoming a prerequisite to running for statewide office. It appears that her biggest problem will be competition among politicians for a limited number of speaking opportunities. Well done, Ms. Payne!
By Vinroot on February 12th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I hate to be that “guy” but Mrs. Payne might want to think about adding some political diversity to her list of guest speakers. I thin some of those students might appreciate someone like an Anton Gunn or Bakari Sellers sharing their experiences as well.
By Fashizzle on February 12th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Bakari can’t visit a high school because the adinistrators would mistake him for a student. That said, Kelly’s class is open to all views. We just don’t have many Democrats holding statewide office. She absolutely runs a fair, impartial dicussion.
By Frustrated at Critics on February 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
How could anyone but a calloused cynic criticize this teaching approach? Mrs. Payne and her students are an inspiration. I hope they continue doing what they’re doing.
Her class not only follows meaningful issues of the day, it gets meaningfully involved in them through dialogue with public figures. Amazing! This has been Hart’s favorite class by far.
Hey Mrs. Payne — great teachers and thinkers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle would approve of your innovative teaching style. The future of our state is becoming brighter because of teachers like you. Please ignore the naysayers and keep up your great work!! Thank you!
By Mark on February 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Well according to Nathan Ballentine’s website, Jim Rex and Steve Benjamin will be upcoming speakers in Kelly Payne’s class. It looks like she is listening to the suggestions of some of her students’ parents to bring in some Democrats as well…
By Asheton DFHS on February 12th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
We have Dr.Jim Rex coming in to speak on Feb. 25th and Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter on Feb. 18th. I am pretty sure they are Democrats!!
By Zack on February 12th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
All of our guest speakers aren’t politicians either……….a Major from the Army currently serving in Iraq came home for a death in his family last week and graciously took his time to come speak to us. We have been corresponding with him and other soldiers in his unit over the last few months. In fact we are going to be donating our book bags at the end of the school year to teenagers in Iraq that are in desperate need of school supplies. Thank you for serving our country Major Hawkins!!
By An Ardent Admirer of Ms. Payne on February 12th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Yes, Ms. Payne invites all to speak in her class. Rep. Cobb-Hunter and Superintendent Rex are scheduled to speak in the coming weeks. She also has had the Mayor for the Town of Irmo; elected at large in a non-partisan election, speak to her class. I’ve heard that a local police chief even spoke once (a decidedly un-political speaker). So, she invites all kids of speakers (political and non-political) who have something to offer the students. If only I had a teacher like that in high school…. Good job, Ms. Payne
By cadetsuperintendent on February 12th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Michaels Phelps would be an interesting speaker
for this class.
By cadetsuperintendent on February 12th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Oops, that’s Michael.
By Rebecca Van Meter on February 12th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Honestly people, does it matter what party our speakers are from? I’ll answer for ya’ll: NOPE. Our speakers don’t come in and waste their time trash-talking eachother. Yes, Mrs. Landess did talk about government, but everything she talked about were HER OWN OPINIONS. Afterall, her job is to express her opinions. We all grilled her on questions about our government, our schools, and what she thinks will happen in the future. Thank you Mrs. Landess and Bryan Cox for coming in and speaking to our class and encouraging us to speak up and stand for what we believe in.
By J. In New York on February 12th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
These sessions should be recorded and made available on line, by that sic individual or otherwise.
By Georgie on February 12th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
By the looks of whom Ms.Payne is bringing into her class there is a good selection of people. As we can conclude there are not politicians only that come and speak to the class. Which can then lead you to also conclude that the politicians that come to the class don’t even talk about why they are better than the next. They simply state what their job does and as for high school kids I think this is VERY important. It’s the time of their lives where they are going to be choosing what they want to do when they grow up.
Really now unless you are attending this class and listening to what the speaker has to say don’t go trashing them saying they are saying things that they aren’t even saying, just because you most likely don’t like them.
By Sarah on February 12th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Ms.Landress was a class act! She is energetic and an excellent speaker and Mr. Cox was defenitely part of the brains behind the “think tank” group. Thank you for taking to time to ask “us” questions and answer ours too! We will be continuing to follow the issues on transparency in govt. spending and recorded voting.
By bob on February 13th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Is the black kid flashing a gang sign.
By Baby luv Booby on February 13th, 2009 at 1:03 am
She shud ask the pope to speek to her schrool. Bet the poor f*rt wud freek out over her, by Georgie.
By Joyce Lewis on February 13th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I really enjoyed her when she came to our class. We are learning a great deal of things as the guest come pouring into our class. I really like how they do not make us choose a side we would like to be on. We really enjoy the guest that take the time out to come to our class.
By Jolie M on February 13th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I think that Ms. Payne motivates her students to get opinions from all different political views, and to have the speakers that she has been inviting and speaking to her class shows a teacher that goes outside the boundaries of her classroom. She just does not teach, she goes outside the rim and scope of her job, I wish that South Carolina had more teachers like Ms. Payne, it takes a special teacher to work above the normal school hours. She definitely should get teacher of the year.
By Georgie on February 13th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Hey Baby luv Booby,
What are you trying to imply when you say “by Georgie”?
And you might want to start spell checking your post before you decide to submit them because you just sound like a blockhead.
By Christine on February 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
This class is on the cutting edge! A definite must take at DFHS.
By Michael on February 13th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I think the point some people are trying to make is that in order for these students to get a variety of views, they have to be presented with opposing viewpoints. One can argue that Nathan Ballentine and Bobby Harrell present opposing views on certain issues, but there are other views that seem to be lacking based on the speakers list. It looks like that will change. The South Carolina Policy Council is a great group, and I largely support their efforts, but they are a consevative group which emphasizes a small number of issues. I am sure if you brought in a speaker from the South Carolina Progressive Network, they would say that the whole push for roll call voting is really not that big of a deal and would instead tell the students about lobbying the legislature to get rid of payday lending. And when you do have speakers, whether its Mark Sanford or Gilda Cobb Hunter, you should feel free to challenge them on their views and engage in thoughtful debate.
By Jolie M on February 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
If Baby luv Booby can’t spell then he needs to go back and learn how to spell from a teacher, otherwise do not post comments if you can’t spell or write an intelligent response, it only shows your lack of knowledge of the ABC’s…
By friend of a friend. on February 13th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Alright Ms. Payne’s Class!!
There have been some pretty amazing people coming through this classroom speaking about current issues in the state and personally I for one am excited for more to come in. Several other important state officials are lined up and these teens, included myself, will become even more aware of our the happenings of our state.
By Dom on February 14th, 2009 at 12:32 am
I like what you are doing Ms. Payne. It is a great way for the state to get involved with students. Some think that students do not pay attention to what goes on… They are wrong!!! in so many levels. Keep up the good work in all you dew Ms. Payne. Love u
Dominique Blasingame
By Ashley Landess on February 14th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
My visit to Kelly Payne’s classroom was one of the most positive and encouraging I’ve had in a decade. Her students are bright, engaged and very well-informed. Ms. Payne is an inspiration — a dedicated teacher with a great attitude and a determination to teach every child in her class to think. Those students asked some of the toughest questions I’ve been hit with — a couple of them made me stop and think! I don’t think any of those kids could possibly be swayed by one person’s view on the issues. They have clearly learned the process of critical thinking and constant questioning of what they are reading and hearing. No matter what side they end up on politically, their active awareness speaks volumes about them and their amazing teacher. And it reminds us that the democratic process is safe in the hands of our future generation. No matter what all of us think about the issues (or each other!), we can all be grateful for that. We owe you a big thank you, Kelly Payne — you are an inspiration! Keep up the great work!
By Kandise M on February 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I think people living off the expense of everyone else is bad for the economy.I think it’s bad for the economy because people work hard for what they get an what they got.I also don’t think it’s fair for people who work hard to put all of that hard work into somebody else, because they dont give anything back.People who live at the expense of everyone else is also bad for the economy, because it would make people poor, and lose alot of money.
By Madi on February 15th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Ms. Payne’s classroom was always impartial. When I was in her class, she never pushed beliefs and opinions onto other students. If you think about it – we live in South Carolina. South Carolina is a known Republican conservative state. However, my point is that Ms. Payne has never pushed opinions onto students. She always allows everyone to make their own opinions. So her guess speakers have nothing to do with that at all.
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