The Center for Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High School features a curriculum developed closely with area international policy and legal professionals to ensure that students' experiences are grounded in an understanding of the process involved in the creation of public policy, as well as the practical application of law.
This curriculum is built around case studies involving social, environmental, and economic issues impacting citizens on the local, national, and international levels. In addition, students learn how to apply the technological skills needed to navigate the professional needs of policy creation/implementation and legal research/practice. The Center for Law and Global Policy Development has as its focus the understanding that public service is the aim of policy and legal professions.
Students applying to the Center are recommended to have completed one world Language credit before entering the freshman year. The Center is open to all juniors and seniors in Lexington One. Students will spend a half-day within the Center each semester.
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Meet the Instructors:
Michael Burgess, Lead Teacher
Mike Burgess is the Lead Teacher for the Center for Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina. The Center for Law and Global Policy Development is a two-year program housed at River Bluff High School that is available to all Junior and Seniors of the five high schools in Lexington County School District One. The program focuses on leadership development and policy creation in the areas of law, politics, and foreign affairs. In June 2021, Mr. Burgess will have completed his 26th year as a public school teacher in South Carolina.
A lifelong resident of South Carolina, Mr. Burgess was the 2014 South Carolina Sons of the American Revolution Teacher of the Year. Since 2017, Mr. Burgess has volunteered his time as Vice Chairman of the Lexington County Republican Party. Mr. Burgess received his BA in History from the University of South Carolina in 1993 and his MAT from the same university in 1995..He is married to his college sweetheart Chrystal and has four children- Caylee, Jackson, Manning, and Madelyn who all attend Lexington County School District One schools
Linsy Dooley
Linsy Dooley received her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education: Political Science/Economics from Clemson University in 2003 and a Master's degree in Secondary Education: Social Studies from USC in 2007. Linsy is currently in her 18th year of teaching. After teaching social studies at Chapin High School for ten years she moved to River Bluff in 2013 for our inaugural year. Linsy began teaching in the Law Center in 2014. Linsy currently teaches Law and Justice Honors, Law and Policy Practicum Honors, Legal and Policy Debate Honors, and Advanced Placement US Government and Politics.
Keith Brayman
I am originally from Tallahassee, Florida and moved to the Midlands in 2016 with my wife, Michelle, and three kids Matthew, Charlotte, and Lila. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, in Secondary Social Studies Education with an emphasis on Economics and Latin American History. Professionally, my research centers on emerging economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. I have been blessed with being a part of the Center for Law and Global Policy Development through instructing our scholars in the International Relations course.
