Heather Pence, Teacher

Saluda River Academy for the Arts

“I feel that I have learned from Ms. Fryer how to look at the “big picture,” when setting goals and making educational decisions. Like her, I try to step back, see where I am, where I want to go, and the BEST way to get there. I have learned to take things one day at a time, and one small step at a time, so that big goals don’t become too daunting. I try to share that philosophy with my team and my class, which spills over into the school environment. I try to be the change that I want to see so that Saluda River Academy for the Arts can be the best school possible. That, I have definitely learned from Ms. Fryer! She doesn’t ask anything from her staff that she is not willing to do herself! Leading, by example, has been one of her strongest lessons, and I hope that I am doing the same every day.”

Sahrish Ahmad, 5th Grader

Saluda River Academy for the Arts

“I want to give special thanks to my principal Ms. Tonya Fryer for welcoming me to a whole new world.”*

* Excerpt from West Metro News –  http://westmetronews.com/fifth-graders-essay-describes-love-for-saluda-river-school/

Kathy Coskrey, Director of Field Experiences Columbia College

Tonya Fryer is a wonderful supporter of Columbia College’s teacher preparation program. She welcomes our teacher candidates into her school and provides excellent experiences for them to learn and grow as future educators. Our education candidates have had experiences in a variety of settings including dance, early childhood, elementary, and special education classes at Saluda River Academy for the Arts. Ms. Fryer also welcomes the professor and the students from our Arts Integration course into the school, so they can see what they are learning in their coursework in action in a school setting. Many of our graduates have been hired by Ms. Fryer for their first teaching job. Through all of her support of pre-service and beginning teachers, Ms. Fryer demonstrates her advocacy for the teaching professions.

Jennifer Adam, Teacher

Saluda River Academy for the Arts

“When I first began my teaching career, I was struggling with developing quality lessons and lesson plans. Ms. Fryer helped me become a more effective teacher by providing detailed feedback and suggestions after her observations. She also offered the help of a mentor teacher beyond my first year teaching. Ms. Fryer’s encouragement and direction helped not only my teaching, but also my confidence as a teacher. This has made a huge impact on me as an individual and as well as my teaching career.”