Interviewer

Michaela Bessinger

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Abstract

This interview was conducted by Winthrop student Michaela Bessinger with Deitre Owens Helvy as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Helvy details her experiences as a Black female educator in Greenville County School District during the critical year of 2020. Her testimony provides a unique point of view by considering the Black experience in 2020, particularly in relation to the pandemic, education, and social justice. Other notable topics of conversation include the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual education, teacher recruitment, and social unrest.

Deitre Owens Helvy (b. 1977) is a Recruitment Specialist for Greenville County School District, a position she has held since 2016. She previously worked as a special education teacher and Instructional Support Specialist. Helvy holds a B.A. in Special Education and M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, both from Clemson University.

Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jenifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."

Publication Date

11-30-2021

Unique Identifier

OH 737

Format

PDF

Length

00:53:00

Restrictions

This interview is open for use.

Keywords

COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020, Education, Virtual Learning, Greenville County School District, Social Justice, Race

Notes

This interview is accessible via the Index (PDF), no audio available.

Interview with Deitre Owens Helvy

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