Board Member Spotlight

1 Aug 2025

Pickens’ Garrisons: Quietly and Wholeheartedly the Order of the Palmetto

School District of Pickens County Board of Trustee member Betty Garrison

We’ve all heard the familiar refrain, “May I take your order?” or “How may I assist you?” In a restaurant or a retail store, it’s routine. But for some, these questions are more than a polite inquiry. It’s a way of life. For the School District of Pickens County Board of Trustee member Betty Garrison and her husband, Jim, servant leadership has always been the quiet, driving force behind decades of work in education, community service and family life. And now, that lifelong commitment has been honored with South Carolina’s highest civilian award – The Order of the Palmetto.

Last month, inside the Cpt. Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley, surrounded by family, community members and former students, the Garrisons received this prestigious recognition. Their response? Characteristically humble.

“We’ve never done anything for the sake of recognition,” said Betty. “But if our story inspires others to serve quietly and wholeheartedly, to look around and ask, ‘How can I help?’ then we are grateful.”

Betty’s 40-plus-year career in public education is a tapestry of purpose and people. She began as a home economics teacher at Easley High School, moved into roles as a guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal and ultimately brought her experience to the school board, where she’s served as a trustee since 2016.

“Each chapter of my career, from classroom teacher to principal to board trustee, was shaped by mentors who believed in me,” she said.

If Betty’s life has been shaped by education, Jim’s has been equally anchored in craftsmanship, teaching and heartfelt vision. A U.S. Army Reserve veteran, land planner, builder and later a teacher of building construction at the SDPC Career & Technology Center, Jim’s motto has always been, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

This principle guided one of the couple’s most meaningful projects: the creation of the Cpt. Kimberly Hampton Memorial Park. Located beside the Easley library, the park honors a 1994 Easley High graduate and U.S. Army pilot who was the first female pilot in American history to lose her life in combat. Hampton was killed in Iraq in 2004 when her helicopter was shot down.

After years of persistence, including collaboration with the military and securing a helicopter from Fort Rucker, where Hampton trained, the park was dedicated in 2020. Operation Dragonfly, as it became known, now stands as a powerful symbol of courage, service and community remembrance.
Married for 53 years this August, the Garrisons have long been guided by shared values of persistence, integrity and responsibility.

Their sons, Brad and Brian, along with their wives Julie and Crystal, have followed suit, raising their own children, Caden and Walker, with the same foundation.

“They’ve impacted so many, not just through official titles or roles, but through acts of quiet service,” Brad said. “From salvaging a gym floor to baking pound cakes, to helping someone get a second chance, they always found ways to say, ‘How can I help?’”

Betty has brought her firsthand knowledge of what students and teachers truly need – consistency, structure and adults who genuinely care.
Under her tenure, she’s seen transformative changes at nearly every level of public education in her district.

“While curriculum and standards change, students still need to be known, supported and believed in,” she said. “That will never change.”
When asked what her “superpower” is, Betty resists the idea. “I’ve simply been surrounded by people who care deeply about students. Any impact I’ve had is because of those teams.”

Her leadership has always been reflected in small, often unseen acts, including delivering meals to families, mentoring new administrators, supporting students in crisis and quietly helping wherever there’s a need.

Faith has also been central to their lives. Their son Brian opened the award ceremony with a prayer thanking God not for the award itself, but for lives lived in alignment with purpose and grace.

“Hopefully, one day, that makes people ask why,” he said. “And ultimately, maybe that points them to Jesus.”

State Representative Neal Collins, who nominated the Garrisons for the Order of the Palmetto, described them simply, “They are icons.”

He noted how rare it is for this honor to be awarded. In his words, “We’ll never fully know how many lives they’ve impacted. And that’s exactly how they would want it.”

Easley’s welcome sign reads, “The pride shows.”

For the Garrisons, pride isn’t about recognition. It’s about people. It’s about showing up. It’s about answering life’s most powerful question of, “How can I help?”, quietly, consistently and with a full heart.

1 Jul 2025

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Amanda Taylor Faircloth: Serving Where She was Nurtured and Needed

Amanda Taylor Faircloth, vice chairperson of the Dillon School District Four Board of Trustees

Amanda Taylor Faircloth, vice chairperson of the Dillon School District Four Board of Trustees, hails from Dillon County, South Carolina — best known to passersby for the quirky, roadside attraction South of the Border. But for Faircloth, Dillon is more than a landmark on the I-95 corridor. It’s home and the foundation of her life’s work in education, banking and service.

Faircloth’s reflections on public education are grounded in both personal experience and broader community need. While Dillon County has drawn national attention for its educational funding disparities, Faircloth views her upbringing there with pride and gratitude.

“Dillon school district prepared me well,” she said. “We’ve always had teachers who genuinely care — not just about our grades, but about who we become.”

She was raised in the Tall Pines community near Hamer and now lives in Dillon proper. It’s a place where deep roots and close relationships form the backbone of everyday life.

“Dillon is a small town where everyone knows everyone, or at least someone in your family,” said Faircloth. “It’s a community that comes together in times of need.”

One of those needs brought Faircloth to the school board in 2019. Her mother, Ethel Taylor, had served on the board for 25 years. When Ethel passed away, the community knew exactly who should continue her legacy.

“I was hesitant at first,” Faircloth recalled. “But after praying and talking with my family, I realized what an honor it was, not just to serve, but to carry on her legacy and advocate for the children of Dillon County.”

Since joining the board, she’s led with a focus on student needs and equity, guided by her core belief that leadership means doing what’s best for all children.

“Always be respectful of others’ opinions,” she advises those seeking public office. “But be steadfast in your beliefs and focused on what matters most — the betterment of every child.”

Faircloth’s path of community service isn’t confined to education. Her banking career began by chance when someone at a bank asked if she knew anyone looking for a job. Two weeks later, she was behind the counter as a teller. Over 27 years, she’s moved through roles from personal banker to business and commercial support specialist and now serves as a financial services representative at First Citizens Bank.

“Early in life, I thought I’d become a teacher,” she said. “But the Lord had other plans.”

What’s kept her in banking isn’t the numbers. It’s the people.

“I’ve built relationships with customers who’ve become friends and family,” she said. “I’ve watched their children grow up and now I’m their banker too. That’s special.”

Helping customers find financial peace, whether solving a problem, recovering from fraud or just offering a listening ear, is deeply fulfilling for her.

Her Christian faith, she said, shapes how she serves both customers and students.

“My faith helps me be patient and kind and treat others with empathy,” Faircloth said. “Whether I’m working with a student, a parent or a customer, I always ask, ‘If this were my child or my parent, how would I want them to be treated?’”

This perspective grounds her, especially when she encounters a difficult customer or a tough board decision.

“Sometimes I question if I’m where I need to be,” she admitted. “But then someone will say, ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you,’ and I remember this is where I’m meant to be.”

And where she’s meant to be is also with her husband, Bobby — a retired South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper — and their three adult daughters: Taylor (Allen) of Lexington, Ceason (Jonah) of Ohio and Carrie and her fiancé, Avery, of Florence.

“Visiting with our kids and seeing them happy and successful, that’s what gives me joy and peace,” she said.

She and Bobby are also traveling the state, checking off stops on their journey to become “Ultimate Outsiders” — a designation for those who visit all South Carolina state parks.

“It’s a great way to be active and appreciate the beauty of our state,” she said.

But no matter where their travels take them, the Faircloths always make it back to Dillon – to their roots.

1 Jun 2025

3lm0r3 Board Member Spotlight

Chester’s Maggie James: Leadership Lessons from the Heart of Desegregation

Chester County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees member Maggie James

CHESTER, S.C. – Chester County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees member Maggie James likens her journey through the trauma of desegregation to the lyrics of the gospel classic How I Got Over by Mahalia Jackson, a song which speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit through faith in God.

What began in the halls of Finley Junior High School for African American students, continued through to the annals of Brockman Junior and Chester Senior high schools nearly 60 years ago, culminating in an integration which helped shape a woman of many firsts. James, the district’s longest-serving school board member, was not only the first African American woman to serve on the board, but also the first to become its chair, representing the heart of Chester’s community.

“The fact that I was able to overcome what I faced and go on to become the chair and vice chair of a school system that once devalued my education makes a profound statement about my determination to never give up,” James said.

She speaks candidly about the compassion and sense of responsibility that drive her service.

“The compassion and genuine outlook I have for all the lives that may have lasting impact by decisions of education that are made are of paramount importance to me,” she said. “The future educational endeavors of the students in this community are always foremost in my mind.”

James looks back in wonder at how her participation in the integration process conditioned her for the ridicule she would endure in public service across more than 30 years.

“The white children would make fun of our facial features—lips, eyes, noses—as well as our skin color and hair,” she said.

In June 1965, during the initial stages of integration, CCSD sent a Freedom of Choice application to every Black parent. James’ parents completed the form and mailed it back. In August, they received an acceptance letter and an invitation to attend an orientation.

James expected her classmates from Finley to be there, but quickly realized most Black parents had chosen not to send their children to the all-white Brockman Junior High School.

“My parents always ensured that my education was of paramount importance to them as well as my spiritual and social interactions,” said James. “The courageous (public) school choice my parents made that placed me on the front lines of integration was a phenomenal decision for my life and advocacy.”

James graduated from Chester Senior High School in 1970 and later earned a diploma in general business management from York Technical College.

She and her husband of 52 years, Robert Sr., have three adult children—Carmen (Anthony), McClinton, Robert K. Jr. (Janine) and Alexander C. (Teresa)—10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Beyond her board service, James worked at the Sears Catalog Store in Chester before spending 34 years in state government at the Chester County Department of Social Services. Fittingly, she held the title “Human Services Specialist.”

In a recent article marking the 69th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, James spoke about the isolation she felt during integration.

“To be treated like you weren’t human,” she said, recalling days when no one would speak to her. “The only time I saw a few other Black students was during recess or lunchtime.”

Those experiences became lessons in leadership.

“If you are a true and effective leader, you cannot isolate yourself from uncomfortable situations,” James said. “In leadership, you must posture yourself to exhibit the qualities of the position you’ve attained.”

As for what comes next, James plans to continue standing on the principles which have guided her for nearly three decades: faith, family, service and integrity.

“God has given me the stability and strength to endure—the unwavering love, support and trust of the community I represent,” which she said is enough.

1 May 2025

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Dorchester Two’s Farnsworth: Principles and Vested Interest

Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees member Justin Farnsworth

In the heart of Summerville, S.C., there’s a business owner whose name is synonymous with trust, leadership and community service – Justin Farnsworth, a member of the Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees. Not just a leader in business but a devoted advocate for education and a strong proponent of civic engagement, Farnsworth’s journey from military service to entrepreneurship is a testament to the power of personal investment in the future of others.

His story begins in a place where few would expect to find entrepreneurial roots – the U.S. Navy. Serving as a nuclear engineer aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, his responsibilities ranged from managing complex nuclear propulsion systems to training the next generation of engineers.

“This experience in the Navy not only shaped my approach to leadership and problem-solving but also instilled a strong sense of discipline and dedication that I have carried into my civilian and business life,” said Farnsworth.

He then transitioned into the world of finance, working as a Wealth Advisor and Investment Officer at First Citizens Bank. His experience in financial planning allowed him to see firsthand how important it was for individuals and families to secure their futures.

This led to him owning The Farnsworth Family Agency, an Allstate Insurance affiliate in Summerville, which he opened in Oct. 2020. Under his leadership, the agency quickly became #1 in the state of South Carolina, providing personalized insurance solutions to the community.

Farnsworth’s commitment to his customers extends beyond financial transactions; it’s about creating peace of mind, ensuring families feel secure enough to live their lives to the fullest.

“Starting a business is about more than just selling a product or service,” he said. “It’s about creating a legacy and building something that serves the community. A business is a vehicle for making a positive impact.”

Farnsworth’s dedication to service is not confined to his business. Since 2014, he has served on the Dorchester Two board, where he is an advocate for quality education. As a parent himself, he saw firsthand how crucial it is to provide students with an environment which nurtures their academic and personal growth.

“I believe education is the cornerstone of success,” said Farnsworth. “I want to be part of a system which not only prepares our students for the challenges of tomorrow but helps them grow as individuals with the skills and confidence to succeed.”

One of the most significant shifts he has experienced during his time on the board has been the transition to a single-member district system. While it promises more localized representation, it also presents new challenges, particularly around ensuring equitable resource distribution. Farnsworth is committed to navigating these challenges, always with the goal of strengthening the educational experiences of all students in the district.

Farnsworth is also deeply involved in the community, recognizing relationships are the foundation of lasting positive change. Through collaborations with local non-profits and other community organizations, he’s helped improve both the well-being of local families and the vitality of Summerville itself.

His wife, Jessica, who serves as the assistant director of Elementary Education for Dorchester Two, also plays a key role in shaping Farnsworth’s views on education and leadership.

“Jessica’s work provides me with a unique insight into the challenges faced by our schools, especially in terms of curriculum development and staff training,” he said.

Her expertise complements his, allowing him to advocate for policies which not only address the needs of students but also support the educators who guide them.

Together, Farnsworth and his wife are raising two children who continue to excel in both academics and extracurriculars. Blake is studying agricultural business at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Zoe, is a dedicated public high school student recently inducted into the National Honor Society.

In his view, public education is a cornerstone of a thriving family and community.

“Public schools are not just about preparing students for college or careers, they’re about shaping the future of our society. Everyone benefits from an educated community,” he said.

Even those without children in public schools, he argues, have a vested interest in supporting them, as strong schools contribute to lower crime rates, higher employment and overall economic stability.

1 Apr 2025

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Edgefield’s Dr. Willie Campbell: From Social Worker and Mayor to Pastor and Board Member

Edgefield County School District Board of Trustees member Dr. Willie Campbell

Dr. Willie Campbell, a revered community leader and advocate, is said to embody the principles of civility and humility. Born and raised in Johnston, S.C., the Peach Capital of the World, his life story is one of resilience, service and faith. As a prominent figure on the Edgefield County School District Board of Trustees and former mayor of Johnston, Campbell’s journey suggests the values he holds dear — respect for others, equality and an unwavering moral compass.

Campbell’s perspective on life has been shaped profoundly by his upbringing. Raised by a mother and grandmother who were hardworking women, he learned the importance of respect and honor at an early age. His family instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to treating everyone with dignity — values which would later define his leadership style.

“Growing up, we were taught that you do the job you’re asked to do without complaint, and you do it with a smile,” Campbell said. “We were raised to respect people, no matter their background or beliefs.”

Campbell’s childhood was also shaped by the harsh realities of segregation. He recalls a time when Black people had to remain at the bottom steps when visiting white homes and were often followed around in stores. Experiences like these left lasting scars, yet Campbell’s response to them has always been one of dignity and restraint.

“Growing up during that time was devastating,” he said, but he continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining composure in the face of adversity. His ability to stay composed, even in the most uncomfortable situations, became a defining trait in his later career.

Despite these setbacks, Campbell’s commitment to service never wavered. His history-making tenure as Johnston’s first African American mayor was not born out of a desire for personal gain but from a genuine need to advocate for all people. Reflecting on his decision to run, he shares his mother once asked him, “Are you running for mayor because you are Black, or are you running for all people?”

“I was running for equality for all people,” he said.

Through his work, he sought to lead with humility and faith, facing many challenges with the understanding that prayer and God’s guidance would see him through.

Campbell’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief it is always better to lead with a solid moral compass and walk with humility. Drawing inspiration from 1 Peter 5:5, he stresses the importance of being humble and submissive to one another.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” he said.

For Campbell, this passage reminds him to serve others with compassion and to encourage others to be their best selves, even when faced with personal challenges.

One of Campbell’s most enduring roles has been his service on the Edgefield County School District Board of Trustees. Motivated by encouragement from local teachers and the influence he had on students and their families, Campbell is passionate about improving public education and ensuring every child receives the guidance and support they deserve. In his work, he emphasizes the importance of respect, love and genuine care for students. His commitment to fostering a positive and respectful environment for all students stems from the same values he learned as a child.

“We must demonstrate true love and respect for the people we serve,” said Dr. Campbell.

Throughout his journey, Campbell’s family has been his pillar of support. His wife, children and siblings have stood by him through thick and thin, offering prayers and encouragement along the way.

Today, as the Pastor of Grace Deliverance, Campbell continues to serve his community, bringing people together through faith and understanding. His experience in the Department of Social Services has taught him the importance of empathy and listening, skills he applies in his current work as both a pastor and community leader.

“Hurt people hurt people,” he said, “but through love and understanding, we can bring people through their pain.”

As Campbell ponders his future, his aspirations remain rooted in community. He hopes to continue raising awareness about the needs of local cities and schools, ensuring children see role models who look like them and who have succeeded against the odds. His vision for the future is one of unity, where people of all backgrounds can come together and achieve remarkable things under God’s guidance.

17 Mar 2025

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Colleton’s Sharon Witkin: An “All-In” Advocate for Public Education Copy

Sharon Witkin, Secretary of Colleton County School District’s Board of Trustees

In a world where school board members often work behind the scenes, Sharon Witkin stands out as a committed and proactive advocate for the children of Colleton County. As the secretary of Colleton County School District’s Board of Trustees, Witkin plays a vital role in shaping the direction of education in a community that is both geographically expansive and economically diverse.

Witkin’s journey to the school board began when she moved back to her hometown of Walterboro with her young children. At first, the stay-at-home mom felt uncertain about her ability to contribute to the community. However, her determination to become more involved led her to join local and regional leadership programs, which ignited her passion for public service.

“I initially felt I had little to offer, but with the encouragement of others, I realized that my background in non-profit work and my educational experiences were a good fit for serving as a school board trustee,” Witkin said.

Her role on the school board goes beyond policy decisions; it’s about fostering a positive, safe and effective learning environment for students in the district, which spans the entirety of the county. Colleton County is South Carolina’s fifth-largest county by land area and houses the 27th-largest population in the state. Within this vast landscape, Witkin represents District 3, which includes Walterboro, the county seat and its largest municipality.

The district serves a student body where 84 percent of students live in poverty. This statistic underscores the importance of the school board’s work and, particularly, Witkin’s role.

As the secretary, Witkin’s responsibilities extend beyond traditional administrative duties. She coordinates monthly board meetings, working closely with the other board officers and the district superintendent to ensure smooth operations. But her position often requires her to step into an unexpected role: that of a past president, offering guidance and perspective, especially during transitions between board officers.

“It’s an opportunity to provide continuity and share lessons learned from my previous tenure as chairman,” she said.

In recent board meetings, school safety has become a growing concern.

“The core purpose of our school district is teaching and learning, but we must first ensure a safe and positive environment for our students,” Witkin said.

The district has implemented robust safety measures, including weapons detection systems and metal detectors in secondary schools and at school events.

Additionally, the district maintains strong partnerships with local law enforcement, ensuring that school resource officers (SROs) are present at every school. Mental health support is also a priority, with guidance programs and a partnership with Coastal Empire Mental Health providing essential counseling services.

When Witkin is not attending to school board responsibilities, she is deeply involved in her family life. As a stay-at-home mom to two teenage boys, Michael and Sam, her daily schedule consists of carpooling, sports events and volunteering. She serves on various school committees, including the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and the School Improvement Council (SIC) and is an active volunteer with her church and other community organizations.

“I am an involved parent, and this gives me a direct line to understand what’s happening within our schools. Listening to parents, students and teachers helps me advocate for policies that truly benefit the community,” she said.

Her husband, Spencer, a local dentist and small business owner, is also a staunch supporter of public education. Together, they instill in their children a sense of civic duty and the importance of community involvement, all while navigating the daily challenges of raising teenagers.

One of Witkin’s most defining moments as a school board member came when the district faced a critical funding gap. When the state mandated significant salary increases for teachers and certified staff, Colleton County’s ability to meet the funding requirements became a political battleground. Witkin was at the forefront of this fight, advocating for an increase in local tax revenue to ensure that teachers and staff would receive the compensation they deserve.

The district’s request for increased funds was ultimately denied, forcing the district to dip into its general fund reserve to cover the gap. Despite this setback, Witkin and the board have remained active in raising awareness about the importance of funding local schools. She attends county council meetings and engages with local leaders to ensure the school district is well supported.

For Sharon Witkin, being a school board member isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. As she continues to balance her roles as a mother, wife, volunteer and advocate, she remains an essential force in shaping the future of Colleton County’s schools.

1 Feb 2025

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Swansea’s Sutton: The Builder from Happytown

Lexington School District Four Board of Trustees Chairman Quincy Sutton

Lexington School District Four Board of Trustees Chairman Quincy Sutton is a builder. He’s a builder of consensus, of congregants, family and community. From his roots in Happytown in Gaston, S.C. to his home in Swansea, S.C. Sutton is known for forming, developing and nurturing the people and things around him, both figuratively and literally. His more than five-year service on the school board has been no different.

“I felt that if I was going to live and raise a family in this community that I had to be ‘All In’. So, I’m committed to making sure that not only our children, but all Lexington Four children have the best education and experience that we can afford them,” said Sutton.

I plan to run and be a part of our school board as long as I’m able to serve.”

He attributes their board’s collegiality and cohesiveness to their ability to “agree to disagree” with grace.

“I believe that a unified front is important when serving as a board member,” said Sutton, who likens board service to family dynamics. “There are things that my wife and I may see differently, but when we speak to our children, we present it with unity and togetherness. We work the details out on our own time behind closed doors.”

Sutton said his family has resided in the greater Lexington County area for more than a century.

“I love being from the Swansea/Gaston area. There is no place like home and that is why I’m fully committed to the betterment of my area,” he said.

Sutton is employed as a representative/liaison for the Customer Care Department of the City of Orangeburg’s Department of Public Utilities Administrative Division.

“I truly enjoy solving problems and assisting customers with issues regarding financial indigence,” he said. “I also enjoy assisting with families and individuals who are acquiring or building new homes.

One of the great things about what I do is we are the first to find out about and assist with new businesses and projects that are coming to the Greater Orangeburg area.”

In addition to these duties, Sutton is the senior pastor of New Life Ministries in Swansea, S.C., the job qualifications of which he feels closely align with board service.

“Pastoring and being on the school board both require humility, stability, an open mind and a servant’s heart,” said Sutton. “As our world changes and as our communities grow, we have to be open, accepting and compassionate to those we serve. These characteristics are important as I serve in both capacities.”

Sutton is the son of Bishop Cardell and Dr. Carolyn Sutton, who founded the church he pastors in the late 80s. He is a fourth-generation preacher and his wife, Cassandra, represents the third generation who have followed the ministry path. Sutton said it was very important to marry someone whose values aligned with his.

“Marriage, raising children and life itself present enough challenges,” said Sutton. “We believe ‘doing life’ with someone who holds the same morals, values and standards (makes) things much easier.”

One of his most profound undertakings as a builder has been the establishment of his business – Q- Concepts Design & Consultants. He started the company after assisting several families and friends through the process of purchasing or building new homes. Sutton works with contractors and individuals on project design and construction management for new homes and remodels.

As for family, Sutton and his wife of 17 years have three children – Quincy Cardell II, Rachel Caroline and Elva Queenslei. Cassandra is employed by Lexington Four.

1 Dec 2024

br0zNynn3 Board Member Spotlight

Lee County’s Queenie Boyd: A legacy of good and grace

Lee County School District Board of Trustees member Queenie Boyd

One longtime member of the Lee County School District’s Board of Trustees most often answers to “mama” in education circles and among her fellow school board members throughout the state. The most accurate description of her might be her first name – Queenie.

For the past 36 years, Queenie M. Boyd has served her local school board with stately distinction as both chairperson and vice chairperson. Boyd served so well, she was elected Region 6 Director on the South Carolina School Boards Association’s (SCSBA) Board of Directors in 2006, representing Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw, Lee and Marlboro counties.

She entered the executive board rotation some time later and became president of the Association in 2017.

“It (serving on the state board) gave me a little more knowledge about what boards are to be throughout,” said Boyd. “So many times on the local board, we think it’s just this, but when you have the opportunity to go from one board status to another board status and even to national, it (is) a plus to me.”

Boyd said she always brought back nuggets of board governance strategies to share with her local board, many of which they still employ today.

The stimulus of her service as a school board member and her lifetime commitment to every sector of her place of residence, Lee County, has perhaps been her God-first mantra. Reared by her great-grandparents in the same place where she now serves, Boyd says her passion for community organizing and engagement originates from home. Growing up on the farm was void of much, said Boyd, but there was one thing which was ever present, without a doubt – love.

“Being raised by them as great-grandparents, the expectation was that you’re going to do good, You’ve got to do good,” said Boyd.

Doing good to her great-grandparents meant making a positive impact on the well-being of the citizenry by showing forth love and respect for all people, said Boyd.

An employee of REXAM Beverage Cans for 34 years, an accomplished coalition-builder and community leader in Lee County, Boyd has worked to bridge gaps between the education, faith and government sectors for decades. It is common for education meetings to be held at Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she is a member, or at any other church with which she is closely connected within the county. It is also common to find the faith-based community volunteering in the educational system and in government, oftentimes at the request of Boyd.

“Your whole heart has to be in it,” said Boyd of her board and community service. “I’ve got to speak for these children. I’ve got to make sure that parents understand … (we are) advocates.”

A self-avowed bashful person, Boyd says she is naturally quiet and a contemplative listener.

“I can open up, but if you notice at board meetings, I don’t say a lot because I am taking in and learning,” Boyd said. “But, you have a right and are supposed to ask questions.”

The question she is being asked most these days is why she has decided not to run for re-election. After 36 years, Boyd’s service ended in November, while her legacy lives on in her community and leaps forth through her offspring.

She and her husband, Alexander, who served on city council and as mayor of Bishopville for nearly a decade have four children – one is a principal, one an engineer, one is in business and the other is a pharmacist.

1 Nov 2024

3lm0r3 Board Member Spotlight

Laurens 55’s Tabitha Keitt and a family rooted and grounded

Tabitha Keitt, Seat 1 representative on the Laurens School District 55 Board of Trustees

Hailing from the small town of Gray Court in northern Laurens County, Tabitha Keitt is now the Seat 1 representative on the Laurens School District 55 Board of Trustees, the very area and district where she was born and raised.

Keitt, who never really left the county, except to attend college, said her family is deeply rooted in Laurens.

“My parents, Tommy and Tina Crowder, were also born and raised in Laurens County. They raised my brother, Todd Crowder, and I (here),” she said. “We are all graduates of Laurens District 55 High School along with many other members of my family over the past years.”

Upon graduating from high school, Keitt’s higher education pursuits took her from Greenville Technical College to Lander University and then to the University of South Carolina Upstate to obtain a nursing degree, where Keitt faced one of the grimmest times in her life.

“In November of 2006, I had just begun my last year of nursing school when I had a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury (which) caused me to be paralyzed from the chest down,” said Keitt. “I went through many struggles, emotions and physical therapies during my recovery. I would not have made it through without the support and love from my family, church and friends.”

After extensive recovery, Keitt went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human service management in 2011, about the same time she and her husband Carson, also a graduate of Laurens 55, found out they would soon become parents.

“I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and did not pursue (a) career in my area of study at that time,” she said.

Keitt describes being a stay-at-home mom as being the most rewarding part of her life, citing her angst with having to see daughter, Leila, start school.

“From birth to school age, we were able to play and learn together everyday,” said Keitt. “Starting school was hard on both of us. I think we both cried every morning for a week.

Keitt said being a parent with a child in the school district allows her to relate to what other parents are going through when it comes to frustrations and successes with the school system.

It wasn’t long after enrolling Leila in Laurens 55 schools that Keitt began volunteering at the church she’s attended her entire life – Bramlett Methodist Church in Gray Court. One conversation with the pastor resulted in her becoming the director of the Children’s Ministry while also serving as treasurer. She was immediately charged with creating a new Children’s Program, which has experienced exponential growth.

“At the time, we only had two children, but we have grown since, and have about 20 today,” said Keitt. “I have truly enjoyed being part of the Children’s Department over the last five years.”

With the coming of the new year, Keitt will assist her sister-in-law, who is a Laurens 55 special education teacher, in the Youth Department at church. Keitt said her previous work in ministry has aptly prepared her to assist with the youth there and as a school board member.

“I get to be a part of hopefully many different successful changes, improvements or creations of ways to improve the safety and learning of children and youth in education and faith,” said Keitt.

1 Oct 2024

3lm0r3 Board Member Spotlight

Aiken’s Dr. John Bradley: It Took a Village

Dr. John Bradley, vice-chairman of the Aiken County School District Board of Trustees

The notion of teacher villages, widely embraced by the education community in recent years, is a familiar concept to Dr. John Bradley, the newly elected vice-chairman of the Aiken County School District Board of Trustees, who lived in a teacherage during some of his formative years.

Between the ages of four and eight, his mother, a first and second grade public school teacher, taught in neighboring counties. Since daycare did not exist, school officials suggested his mother allow him to sit in her classroom as she taught.

“(I) was treated as if I was a student,” said Dr. Bradley. “My mother and I lived in a building with other teachers during the week and returned home on the weekend.”

He credits these experiences with establishing his belief in the importance of public education.

“I had a front row seat to the transition of southern rural children from persons who knew only that provided by their early experience on farms to a broader, richer, more exciting world and the beginning of an education that would expand our worlds and give us the tools necessary to negotiate that world,” Dr. Bradley said.

The psychologist never veered far from his humble beginnings in the lower part of Richland County as the only child of a public school teacher and a father who worked as a prison guard and administrator, eventually graduating from Eau Claire High School in Richland School District One (Richland One).

His father would give him second-hand accounts of his adventures in the brutal prison world and the biographies of some of the most notable criminals.

“This, I believe, was the genesis of my interest in understanding human behavior and its variations,” said Dr. Bradley.

Having often been the youngest in his class gave rise to Dr. Bradley’s desire to better understand the behavior of his older classmates.

“I frequently was not mature enough to understand why they did what they did, so I became a keen observer of the human experience in order to learn how to fit in,” he said.

His observations coupled with the efforts of a science teacher who helped him navigate his transition from rural South Carolina to the city school proved beneficial to Dr. Bradley.

“She taught me in a way that gave me confidence in myself and showed me how much a teacher can mean to a student trying to get a foothold in life,” he said. “Although she taught me science classes in high school, she was one of the best psychologists I have ever known.”

Dr. Bradley earned a bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of South Carolina. While working on his doctorate, Dr. Bradley worked at the South Carolina State Hospital for four years and the South Carolina Department of Corrections for one year before working as a school psychologist in Richland One.

“I saw working in schools was a better way to help people – identify the problem early and bring resources to bear before the problem became deep-rooted,” said Dr. Bradley.

He and his wife, Sally, (a former public school English teacher) eventually moved to Aiken where he was employed as the director of Special Programs, serving in various capacities as an assistant superintendent for the school district before retiring in 1990. He also worked as an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina – Aiken.

A few years into retirement, Dr. Bradley ran for the school board and served 16 consecutive years, 13 of which he served as chairman. During this time, Dr. Bradley was working as the clinical psychologist in the Savannah River Site’s medical department, a position he held for 21 years in conjunction with a private practice.

Dr. Bradley left the board for 11 years before returning in 2019.

“(I) missed it. Following some problems that led to three of the board’s members resigning before their terms ended, I decided to run again and was elected,” said Dr. Bradley. “Being involved in education has become a way of life for me and I never want to quit, even though I know the time will come.”

Just as he followed in his parent’s footsteps, the Bradley’s only son, Dr. J. Michael Bradley, who is a product of Aiken County School District, is a practicing clinical psychologist in New Orleans and is married to a commercial photographer.

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