Effingham August September 2015

Past, Present and Future

of EFFINGHAM’S

SCHOOL SYSTEM

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in this issue

features

10 14 20 26 31 33

Randy Shearouse Keeping Education Moving Forward

Michael Moore Three Decades of Change

Brenda Jenkins: Educator Turned Author The Story Behind The Swing On Ginny’s Porch

Stacy Boyett with The Department of Exceptional Student Services Commitment Beyond Measure

Effingham County School Calendar 2015-2016

Meet The Principals

departments

09

Publisher’s Page

specials

49

Let’s Do Business

52

Real Estate Section

August/September 2015

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Magazine.com | June/July 2015 07

C O N T R I BU TO R S

S TA F F

Katrice Williams

is a married mother of two: Nio,14, and Mya,12.

She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area to pursue business career endeavors. A few years later, her husband, Tony, received a job offer in our local area, and the family eventually moved here. After spending a fulfilling amount of time as an at-home mom, she decided to pursue an area of personal attraction—writing. In her spare time, Katrice enjoys the 3F’s: family, food, and fun!! She’s also fond of occasionally writing a bit of good poetry.

Jeff Whitten

Shannon Robinson is a free-spirited freelancer that collects hobbies and has a story for every conversation. She joins our publication in an effort to further develop her ninja writing techniques.

Kathryn Vandenhouten

is a freelance writer who enjoys meeting new and interesting people. She earned her English degree at Georgia Southern University, and caught the travel bug while studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she received a minor in Spanish. After college, she worked briefly in Yellowstone National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and photographing the scenery and the wildlife.

Lea Allen

Natalie McAlister is a life long Effingham resident.

She has a great love of photography. Taking photos of family and friends sparked Natalie’s desire to become a professional photographer. Sine the, her passion has grown to child and newborn photography. She is a wife and mother of two.

She volunteers her time weekly to a local food bank. Natie is also a Avon representative Lane Leopard

Casie Wilson

Casie Wilson is an Effingham County native and aspiring journalist. She’s a team player, and her passion for people and their stories is a driving force in her writing and studies. An honors student at the University of Georgia, Casie is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Global Health. She has contributed to UGA’s independent student newspaper, The Red & Black, as a Variety writer and specialized in community events and lifestyle features. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her young nieces and drinking lots of coffee.

DiAnna Jenkins

08 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Something VERY New and VERY Exciting!

Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Jeff Whitten editor jeff@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos graphic designer lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com

Effingham Magazine is proudly produced by:

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 3126 (912) 826-2760

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Write to us and tell us what you think. Effingham Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor.

Please send all letters via email to Jeff Whitten at jeff@idpmagazines.com, or mail letters to P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Effingham Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Jeff Whitten at jeff@idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Effingham.

CIRCULATION: Effingham Magazine is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 180 locations.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

I am thrilled as I sit here writing this Publisher’s Letter. This is my first opportunity to tell you, in print, about an exciting new addition to our list of publications.

Traditionally, our August/September issue is our Sports Issue. This year, we have changed this issue to become our first annual “Back to School” edition.

We are very pleased with the results of this first issue. We have some great articles about our key players in Effingham’s great school system.

BUT….what happens to our sports issue????? That is a huge question…..and MUST be answered.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I grew up playing sports in this county, my sisters both played with me, our father coached….and our Mom was always our biggest cheerleader. It is in our family blood. So, I think I was destined to be a sports fan.

Sports in Effingham County are a HUGE deal. And, one issue per year just doesn’t seem to do justice to Julie Hales, PUBLISHER the many people who are involved in our community…. from players to coaches to referees to scorekeepers to concessions….there is so mush in this community to feature.

So, it is with GREAT pride that I announce the newest edition to our IDP portfolio…..

Effingham Sports Digest.

Effingham Sports Digest will launch later this month….be on the lookout for our first issue on August 20th!

This new magazine will be a quarterly publication, starting with Fall sports, followed

by Winter, Spring and Summer issues.

In addition to the magazine, we will also be honoring a Top Sportsman (or Sportswoman) of the year. The first recipient will be announced at the launch party of the new magazine….August 20th….check our new Facebook page for more details.

This is exciting for us….and to all of you who love sports, and especially love Effingham County sports! We will be covering it all.

Come out and celebrate with us….congratulate the Effingham Sports Digest 2015 Sportsman of the Year …..and receive a copy of our inaugural issue of Effingham Sports Digest!

ABOUT THE COVER Meet both of these men who have played a tremendous role in making the Effingham County school system what it is today, Michael Moore and Randy Shearouse. These two men believe in education and have provided opportunities for our children and our neighbors.....the youth is our future....and Moore and Shearouse have helped pave the way.

Cover Photo by Natalie McAlister www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 09

10 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Randy Shearouse:

Keeping Education Moving Forward story by casie wilson photos by natalie mcalister

D

r. Randy Shearouse has never had a job in the education field that he didn’t like.

One would think that with 27 years of teaching and administration experience, along with the current pressure of maintaining one of the highest performing education systems in the state, he’d have at least one complaint. However, Shearouse is as dedicated to the county’s schools as he is humble about his success.

“First and foremost, you have to have great people in place in every area of the school system,” he said. “Certainly your teachers and your school leaders, but it also includes your bus drivers and cafeteria workers. If you have the right people in place, things run more smoothly.”

And that’s just the kind of guy he is. If you were to ask him about his hand in the education system’s growth in recent years, he would kindly but firmly shake his head no. He speaks not of himself and his own achievements, but of the little victories championed by staff members who often go thankless. He doesn’t talk in terms of “I” and “me,” but in terms of “us” and “we”―which says a lot more about his character than any autobiography or resume ever could.

“We’ve had a lot of great people working with us who care so much for our students,” he said. “We have a community where people move here just for our school system. Parents want their children to receive a great education, and hiring the right folks to provide the kind of quality service these families have come to expect is key. So it’s all about the collaborative effort of a lot of different things that makes the Effingham County educational system so great.”

An Effingham County native, Shearouse has served as assistant principal of Marlow Elementary, and principal of Sand Hill Elementary and Effingham County High School. Before that, he worked at ECHS teaching history, his favorite subject since childhood. President Teddy Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill are among his favorite historical figures due to their displays of excellent leadership and unwavering willpower.

“Just their strong character and determination in the face of adversity… it’s very intriguing,” he said. “I see a strong will as an admirable trait, because as a leader it’s important to be persistent.

Sometimes if you have a new idea you want to implement, everyone won’t immediately accept it. It’s important to be persistent and keep moving forward. If the goal is truly worth it, then you have to be willing to fight for it. You have to pursue it and be persistent, so that people will see your commitment and hopefully become committed as well.”

His opinion of commitment is especially apparent in how he

views education. Although Shearouse’s father never received a college degree, he raised his son to value education and to always keep learning. Shearouse went on to earn his Bachelor of Science, Master of Education and Education Specialist degrees from Georgia Southern, and his Doctorate degree in Philosophy from Capella University in 2012. Nowadays, he hopes to inspire that kind of passion for learning in Effingham students.

“When I was a high school principal, you would hear seniors saying, ‘I don’t want to take that many difficult classes. I mean, I’ve been working hard for three years, so I want to take it easy,’” he said. “We’ve been able to change that mindset. We’ve put a bigger spotlight on continuing your education after graduation, like through our College Decision Day at the high schools. We offer a lot more AP classes now, and more and more seniors are taking these advanced, college-level courses. So we’re seeing less of the ‘I just want to get by my senior year.’ Our students are continuing to work hard, which is getting more kids into better universities with more scholarships and opportunities in general.”

He believes that the value of hard work is one of the best things a school system can teach students.

“You should never really stop learning,” he said, “and employers are looking for employees who are motivated and want to make themselves and their community better through personal growth. So instilling in kids a desire to learn helps them not just now, but later on in their lives.”

However, Shearouse isn’t all work and no play. In his free time, he enjoys duck hunting and fishing, although he admits he doesn’t have as much time to cast a line as he used to. He also runs about three miles three or four days a week, as well as the occasional 5K. For him, a light jog is the perfect way to clear one’s mind and reflect on one’s responsibilities.

“I think you have to balance your life because work can totally consume your life if you let it,” he said. “If you don’t have those outlets, I don’t think you can really establish the clear vision that you need. As a leader, it’s important to have a vision for what’s coming because the world is rapidly changing. If you don’t have a vision, the system has no way to move forward.”

Keeping a clear head has helped him overcome some of the challenges he has faced since earning the title of superintendent in 2005. With the recession of 2009 came less state funding, threatening the Board of Education with cuts in programs and teaching positions. Shearouse is proud of the Board’s ability to keep as many programs and employees as they did, even if he admits it has been difficult.

“One of my greatest sources of motivation during all of this has been our students, and giving them the quality education they www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 11

deserve,” he said. “You have to make tough choices during those times. But if you look at what’s best for the students in every decision you make… well, that’s what we’re here for.”

With the economy on the rebound and local industries booming, the Effingham education system is in prime position to grow.

Shearouse is eager to see the fruits of the county’s hard work: from the construction of the new Rincon Elementary set to open in 2017, to the introduction of the STEM program, which will encourage students to pursue advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Shearouse also looks forward to hiring more teachers in coming years and being able to offer them better pay. After all, educators can be biggest role models in a child’s life.

“I think everyone knows at least one if not several teachers who have impacted their life, who have made a difference,” he said.

“And it may not have been academically. Just someone you could relate to, someone who would pay you a little attention, someone who just said ‘Good morning,’ with a smile on their face. I think everyone had at least one, but when that student gets on the bus in the morning and the bus driver’s happy and wishes them a good morning, it makes a difference.”

Having a great teacher can be all it takes to motivate a child to pursue a career in education. This is why Shearouse holds Effing-

12 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

ham County’s educators in high esteem and to high standards.

“Teachers make such a difference in so many different ways,” he said. “We always say we want our teachers to be what we call ‘warm demanders’― warm in the sense of treating the kids like we want our own kids to be treated, but also demanding in the sense of pushing them to exceed high standards. The teachers who can be both of these traits are usually the ones who motivate students to become educators.”

In fact, middle school Georgia History teacher Coach Watkins drove Shearouse to enter the education field in the first place.

Shearouse remembers fondly the class’ engaging projects and Watkins’ enthralling tales of Civil War generals. His favorite project was decorating a wooden cover made to look like a Live Oak with facts about the state of Georgia, from the name of the state bird to the significance of “Georgia on My Mind.”

Once he reached his teaching career, Shearouse shared his love of interactive class projects with his students. When teaching World History at ECHS, he had his class of tenth graders build their own castles inspired by designs from the Dark Ages.

Shearouse enjoyed teaching at a high school level the most, if only for the chance to inspire students like his own Georgia History teacher did.

“Different grade levels all provide a certain level of intrigue and interest in what they’re going through and what they’re willing to do,” he said. “At a high school level, you can communicate a little better interpersonally. You get people with a lot of varying interests, including history. It’s always interesting to connect with these kids, especially when they’re passionate about a subject and are willing to explore it deeper than what is taught in class.”

However, at times he wished he had more time to teach his favorite subjects in-depth.

“When I taught American History, my favorite time period was World War II,” he said. “But by the time you get to World War II, it’s kind of late in the year, when we have exams. You get rushed with that, when you could spend weeks and weeks discussing World War II. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’re doing it justice because of the time frame.”

In his years as a teacher and administrator, Shearouse has witnessed the shift in state education standards from Quality Core Curriculum to the Georgia Performance Standards that are in place today. He’s noticed a stronger emphasis on test results since the switch, a change he says might influence students’ passion for learning.

“I think we have to be careful with testing too much, in the sense that if kids aren’t enjoying school, what they’re learning won’t stick,” he said. “You don’t want to get to the point where a class doesn’t have time for fun projects because they’re too busy covering all of these standards. A large part of school is allowing teachers to have some creativity and flexibility in what they do in the classroom. Do we need standards? Yes, there’s no doubt that we do. But I don’t think we need to test so much that we’re spending all our time either preparing for the exam or taking the exam.”

Shearouse doesn’t see himself slowing down any time soon. In the years to come, he hopes to continue learning and bettering himself not only for his sake, but to be the best for the community. But when it comes to someone as passionate about education as Dr. Randy Shearouse, should we expect any less?

“Sometimes as folks get older, they’re so set in their ways that they’re not open for change,” he said. “I don’t want to be that that kind of person, ever. I want to continue to improve myself and keep up with the times. You don’t just wake up one day and say, ‘I’m 55 years old, and I think I’ve done all I can do.’ You’ve got to keep growing, keep learning and keep moving forward.”

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Michael Moore:

Three Decades of Change story by jeff whitten photos by natalie mcalister

S

eek Dr. Michael Moore these days and you might find him at his Springfield home tending his garden or doing volunteer carpentry work for Guyton Christian Church, where he continues to teach Sunday school, serve as an elder and sing in the choir.

If not there, perhaps Moore will be up at Clarks Hill Lake spending quality time with his wife Sandra and their daughters, Lori and Molly, and Lori’s husband Ben Newkirk, and the grandkids Luke and Cole, just catching up for all those years when there were so many other things to do and places to be.

Go back just a decade, though, and Moore personified Effingham County Schools. In 2005, he was the state’s longest serving school superintendent and at the tail end of a career that spanned three decades. Moore was - and is - a dignified, thoughtful man who in public seemingly always wore the business suit he believed came with the job he first sought, and won, way back in 1976 when school superintendents were elected by the people, not appointed by a school board.

So let’s start there.

“The shirt and tie became a way of life,” Moore said. “When you think of it, most of our adult lives I was superintendent. I was first elected when I was 25 years old, and when Sandra and I went out to a football game on Friday night, all our friends had on shorts and t-shirts and I had on a white shirt and tie. That’s just the way it was. I believed if you were going to be the superintendent, you should play the part and look the part and act the part, so I wore a shirt and tie six days a week, sometimes seven days a week.”

If the suit came with the territory of being superintendent, so did Effingham County’s booming growth. Moore spent 29 years in office, nearly 10,000 days, the first 20 as an elected offical who won five elections, all handily. When Georgia’s law changed in 1992 and school superintendents became appointees of local boards of education, Moore served out his last term and then became an appointed official until his retirement in January, 2006. And if there was one constant during a time when schools changed, people changed and the world changed with it, it was the county’s ongoing transition from rural to suburban. Growth was the order of the day, the month, the decade, the career.

“There was some growth before I became superintendent,” Moore said. “And it continued when I began. But it escalated moreso probably in the late 80s and continued on up to the time I left. There were some years we were getting 400 additional students a year.”

It led to a building program that Effingham hadn’t seen the likes of, as brick and mortar schools began replacing portable classrooms. “Some of those portables were beginning to get into very bad repair,” Moore said. “Buildings don’t guarantee an education, but you certainly have to have a place to go to school.”

Clearly more and more kids needed a place to go to school in Effingham County. When Moore took office, there were roughly 15,000 residents in Effingham County and a corresponding 3,500 or so students attending the county’s schools. By the time he retired, those numbers had gone to more than 45,000 and nearly 10,000, respectively.

That naturally led to increases everywhere else. The school system employed about 500 personnel when Moore became superintendent. There were more than 1,500 when he left. Not surprisingly, the system’s budget grew too, from about $8 million when Moore started to what he estimates to be in the $80 million neighborhood by the time he hung up his shirt and tie. There were additional schools, too. South Effingham Middle and High opened up. So did Ebenezer Elementary and Middle and Sand Hill, and work on Blandford began. Replacements for Effingham County High School, Marlow Elementary and Springfield Elementary

were also built, along with a number of additions to Rincon Elementary and the other existing schools.

And one of the most visible symbols of any community’s commitment to education, those bright yellow buses, well, that became more noticeable, too. The system had about 40 when Moore took office in 1976. There were more than 100 school buses when he retired.

“When I first started I knew every bus route, knew every bus driver and knew the number of every bus - and could drive the bus route if I needed to,” Moore said. “If somebody called the office and they had just moved in and were new to the county, I could pretty much tell them which bus their children would ride, who’d be the driver and what time they’d be by to pick up their kids. But as time went on it got to be so massive we had to hire a transportation director.”

It was like that everywhere you looked, if you took the time to look. Growth wasn’t the only catalyst, just the main one. Education laws changed, the state’s attitude toward and commitment to funding education changed as well. The family unit changed, social mores changed, everything changed over that 30 year span.

Moore probably changed too, but what didn’t change was his attitude toward the county and the school system he grew up in, as student, teacher, assistant principal and superintendent.

“I didn’t just have a job, it was a calling for me. I had a passion for it. It was who I was. I lived and breathed it. But once I left it, I left it.”

The wife retires, too Sandra Zipperer Moore didn’t start out in education. But after 16 years working in the Department of Family and Children Services, where she started as a file clerk and worked her way up to a caseworker, it was time for something new. “I went back to school and finished my education degree and continued to complete my Masters and started at Effingham Middle. I finished my career there and retired after a 32-year dual career.”

The dual retirement has worked well for both. “I do volunteer work with the schools and sometimes I’ll come in at 4 p.m. and find Michael sitting here reading a book. It’s just a totally different way of life. It’s so much more relaxed because he doesn’t have all the night meetings, the stress levels or the time constraints. For 30 years he was gone four or five nights a week, on average.”

Moore, by the way, as a reader is a fan of John Grisham and other such novelists. “I read for entertainment,” he said, offering up a rare enough wisecrack. “I already know enough.”

Since retirement, the Moores have also traveled. They’ve been to Alaska, New England and are about to embark on a trip out west to see Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and other sights.

Not that retirement initially took for Moore, at least not at first.

He was tabbed by Effingham County’s Board of Commissioners to serve as an interim county administrator, a position he held for five months. For a decade, Moore did consulting work for James W. Buckley and Associates, an architectural firm responsible for designing schools around Georgia. He’s thoroughly and totally retired now, though, and it would be easy to end a story on that note, but it wouldn’t explain why Moore invested his adult life in public education. Perhaps this statement does, a heartfelt recollection of how public education brought Moore a chance to do more than work a menial job.

“I’m the oldest of six kids. My momma didn’t have a high school education, she quit school at 16, got married at 17 and I was born when she was 18. She did get a GED later on in life, and was very proud of it.” Moore said. “I had a good momma and daddy who worked hard and raised us correctly, but we were all www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 15

poor people. My daddy worked at Union Camp, we farmed a little bit and I worked at Ratchford’s Market in Guyton and worked in the fields all my growing up years. We always had plenty to eat and clothes to wear, but we didn’t take vacations and we didn’t go out to eat. Those were things we just didn’t do. I grew up in a time when there wasn’t a lot of money and everybody was alike in our nieghborhood, we were all working people.”

Here, Moore’s disenchantment with efforts to further gut public school funding in the name of charter schools comes to the surface.

“Do you think I could’ve gone to a private school? If it hadn’t been public education I would not have been able to do what I have done. Public education offered me the opportunity to do some things I would not have been able to do otherwise. And I think there are a lot of children out there now who without the opportunity of public education will never have the opportunity to better themselves and their families. That’s one of the reasons I’m so much of an advocate of public education.”

Over 30 years, the accolades that’ve arisen as a result of that advocacy for and love of public education have been plentiful.

We’ll include a few: In 1976, Moore was named the county’s

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STAR teacher. In 1978 he was named one of five “Outstanding Young Men in Georgia” by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and Georgia Southern recognized him as its College of Education’s Outstanding Alumni in 1986-1987. In 1995 he was named Administrator of the Year by the Georgia Music Educators Association, and in 2000 Moore received the Effingham Chamber of Commerce’s John Adam Truetlen Award for outstanding contributions to the county.

He was the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders’ Outstanding Educator in 2001, the same year he was awarded the Georgia School Board Association’s Bill Barr Leadership Award.

Three years later, and the year before he retired, Moore was named the GSBA’s Superintendent of the Year.

Moore can rattle off a list of names as long as your arm of those who’ve inspired him, or those he admires, including longtime BoE Chairman Charlie Heidt, whose common sense Moore clearly respects. There are other superintendents he relied on as mentors, such as former Liberty County Schools leader Ed Edwards, and his professors at Georgia Southern were “all old school people who had a lot of practical experience.”

More is also complimentary of his successor, Dr. Randy Shearouse - another Effingham native who’s come up through the ranks of education. But Moore said he doesn’t get involved or look over shoulders. The system is Shearouse’s to run now, and he’s doing things well and that’s all there is to it.

But Moore’s clearly proud of the system he helped build, notes the times he’s been approached by those who’ve gone through Effingham’s school system and gone on to bigger and better things.

“If we didn’t have a good school system, do you think all these people would have moved up here looking for their kids to be safe, to get an education, to be treated well?” Moore asked. “We tried to treat people well. As the leader of the school system, as a spokesman for the school system, I looked at it as mine. I had ownership. Those were my children and everything that went on was my problem. I took it personally, I tried to be sure children didn’t have teachers I wouldn’t want teaching my children. I alway asked myself how I would feel about that if it were me and my child.”

In the next sentence, Moore notes he didn’t make everyone happy over his three-decade span as superintendent. Nobody does.

“But I think you have to be honest with people. When I spoke in front of the PTA or some other group and talked to them about a building program or a bond issue, I told them the truth and they knew I was telling them the truth. I had built a reputation over time. People knew I wouldn’t shoot them a line of bull.”

It’s impossible to sum up a three-decade career in a single story, but there’s no harm in trying. Maybe at the end of the day it’s as simple as noting that the Moores attended 41 proms, including their own. They’ve lost count of the number of football and basketball games they attended over the years, even though Moore is not generally a dedicated sports fan.

There’s this, too. Moore passed out diplomas at 38 graduations, the last in 2005.

“I’d like to think there’s a lot of people who have bettered themselves by virtue of coming through the school system,” he said. “I’d like to think I had a part in that, but I’m just one person.

You’ve got to have some leadership from the board, however, classroom teachers are really where the difference gets made. In my role, I tried to provide the wherewithal through the budget and so on for people to be successful, tried to provide a safe, supportive atmosphere conducive to getting the job done. I think we did that. I’m very proud of what we did.”

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Magazine.com | August/September 2015 19

20 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Brenda Jenkins: Educator Turned Author

The Story Behind The Swing on Ginny’s Porch

B

story by katie vandenhouten renda Jenkins is a well known face in Effingham County. She was a teacher at Springfield Elementary and Ebenezer Elementary before becoming a principal, and has gained the love and respect of the community throughout her years as an

educator.

And even though she has retired from teaching, she has never stopped working. In fact, she has been busier in her retirement than most people are in their working years.

Since her retirement in 2007, she started one job at a doctor’s office, one job as a bookkeeper for her son’s business, and also started her own sewing and embroidering business. And while she was busy working other jobs, she managed to accomplish her favorite job so far - the job of writing a children’s book.

Her journey as an author began in 2011, when her sister challenged her to walk in the Susan Komen 3-day Walk for Breast Cancer in San Diego.

Little did she know where that simple challenge would lead.

Jenkins started training by walking for hours down miles of Effingham’s back country roads.

To pass the hours walking, she would make up rhymes about her only grandson, Tripp. “He calls me “Ginny” (like a guinea pig), and we share a special bond,” she says of her grandson.

The rhymes to pass the time must have helped, because that November Jenkins and her sister, Retta, completed the 60-mile, 3-day walk, and she says it was an accomplishment that forever changed her life.

“I was overwhelmed with the passion and determination I witnessed in the walkers, supporters and the cancer survivors,” Jenkins recalls. “This was an experience that I will never forget.”

Unfortunately, Jenkins was diagnosed with breast cancer just three months after the walk. Looking back, she says the walk was somehow a blessing preparing her for what lay ahead. “I thank my Lord for blessing me with the 3-day experience to enrich my life

photos by natalie mcalister and provide the motivation I would need to fight the disease,” she says.

The nine months that followed her diagnosis were spent recovering from major surgery and reconstruction. It was during that time of reflection and recovery that Jenkins decided to put her affectionate rhymes about her grandson on paper.

“While recuperating from surgery and unsure of what lay ahead, I decided to write down the rhymes about Tripp so he would have them for years to come,” she says. It was then that she realized that many of the memories took place on her front porch-their favorite happy place. And that’s how The Swing on Ginny’s Porch was born.

Jenkins says the book is a reflection of just how important it is to spend time with those we love. The rhymes gave her a purpose and a goal throughout the most critical time in her life. “Writing the book gave me a way to share my memories with Tripp,” she adds. “Publishing it gave me a way to inspire and support others.”

The most difficult part of the writing process was imagining what questions Tripp may ask if she were to receive cancer treatments. “He loves my curly hair,” she explains, “and I knew that would need to be addressed as well as illness.”

Thankfully, Jenkins never had to endure chemotherapy or radiation. She describes her grandson as a compassionate, caring and expressive little boy, and she wanted to capture that essence. For that reason, she decided to include her illness as a part of the book in hopes of helping and inspiring others.

She describes the publishing process as a fun one. When the illustrator sent her interpretation of the story, Jenkins says it wasn’t exactly spot on. “I immediately had to ask them to take away some of the wrinkles and the grey hair on the Ginny,” she exclaims. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 21

After she gave her stamp of approval, she waited anxiously to see her final masterpiece. “When I opened the first box of books, I felt like a child at Christmas,” she recalls. “What a feeling of pride and accomplishment!”

She says the support of the community has been wonderful. “I appreciate the local businesses, schools and organizations that have allowed me to speak or have hosted book signings,” she adds.

From helping with publicity to carrying her book in local stores, everyone has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Oddly enough, when asked about her life’s greatest accomplishment, Jenkins says the book doesn’t even come close. Hands down, this “Ginny” says her family is the finest thing she has ever created and her proudest achievement by far.

“Striving to be a good wife, mother and grandmother, sister and daughter, is a lifetime journey,” she says. “I hope my other accomplishments are a reflection of some of what I have learned.”

Jenkins’ daughter and Tripp’s mother, Lindsay, definitely thinks that “Ginny” has excelled as the matriarch of the family: “She’s everything I aspire to be and more. She’s home. She’s love.

She’s my best friend.”

She certainly had to overcome many obstacles to get where she is today, and she relied heavily on her faith to help her through the toughest year of her life. In addition to writing the book and dealing with her cancer diagnosis in 2012, she also lost a dear friend, a nephew, and her father as well. To say it was a difficult year would be an understatement.

Throughout it all, this educator turned author used every moment as a learning experience. Today Jenkins is cancer free and sees every new day as a blessing from God. “I can only say that I

22 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

praise God for walking with me and providing for me one day at a time,” she adds.

With her educational background and years of working with young children, Jenkins has a natural insight into what attracts children to literature. Adults can learn from the story, too. “My life experiences and my faith gave me the desire to encourage adults through sharing my story,” she says. “And so, The Swing on Ginny’s Porch is a children’s book with a message for the young and older!”

When asked what she does in her free time, Jenkins simply exclaims “Free time? What free time!” When she’s not working or attending book signings and speaking events, she loves to sew and work at her embroidery business called “2 Sisters-n-Stitches.” She and her sister design, create and monogram handmade quilted items such as totes, duffle bags, and diaper bags. She also enjoys working as a volunteer at Ebenezer Elementary School.

Other than that, Jenkins is content to spend her time with the family that she loves, and she cherishes every moment. If there’s one thing she has learned, it’s to appreciate each day and never take anything for granted.

“Ginny” has had an amazing journey so far, and she plans to keep working, creating and learning for as long as the good Lord allows. With the continued support of the community as well as her family and friends, there is no doubt she will find success wherever her road may lead.

To book Brenda Jenkins for book signings or speaking engagements, contact her on facebook or email her at brendamjenkins@ windstream.net.

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26 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

STACY BOYETT

with The Department of Exceptional Student Services

COMMITMENT BEYOND MEASURE “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope for our children.

One is roots; the other wings.” ~Hodding Carter

O

story by katrice williams photos by natalie mcalister

ur children are undoubtedly one of the most valuable assets for our future. It’s necessary to understand the importance of investing as many beneficial resources in them as possible. The late Stacia Tauscher, noteworthy author, once said, “We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” Thankfully, there are people in our society concerned with both our children’s tomorrows and todays.

Stacy Boyett is the Coordinator of Exceptional Student Services for the Effingham County Department of Education. She has lived in Effingham County the majority of her life, after moving from Atlanta as a child. Stacy has worked for the school system her entire professional career. She has long committed herself to giving back to the community by doing what really matters—striving to enrich the lives of so many children. “I know a lot of people here.

I know how important it is to serve,” she says. She later adds, “I love Effingham County; Effingham County has been good to me and my family.” Stacy goes on to say, “I care about the community; it’s personal for me. It’s a part of me.”

Stacy has a noteworthy amount of experience in the school system, beginning her career as a Speech Language Pathologist at Guyton Elementary. Some other roles include that of IEP/Eligibility Program Manager and Assistant Coordinator for the Department of Exceptional Student Services. Students who qualify for special education services will have an individualized education plan (IEP) where team members determine what services benefit the student the most, which may include from a way of learning outside the standard educational parameters. As the current coordinator, Stacy supervises the entire department, which largely includes the special education sector. However, she also leads the 504 division, which helps children who may have only a small need for support services, for instance, those with moderate health-based needs which have a minimal affect on their academic performance. Yes, Stacy has devoted a great deal of her life to helping exceptional children.

Effingham’s Exceptional Student Services meet the educational needs of students from ages 3 to 21 in Effingham County. Students are usually referred by their teachers or concerned parents after certain areas of development become a concern; they are often then evaluated by a school psychologist. There is a wide range of exceptionalities, including Autism, Specific Learning Disabled (SLD), Emotional Behavior Disorder or Profoundly Intellectually Disability. However, academically, the students are still expected to meet the requirements of outlined standards and assessments.

The Department of Exceptional Student Services prides itself on looking at each student on an individual basis, understanding that there are no two students exactly alike. Stacy, along with

other professionals in the department, knows that each child will often require a very different approach. She notes, “We make sure that we try to meet the individual needs of the students. We take pride in trying to make that happen.” However, the school system tries to do as much as possible before referring a student to the department, including interventions and ongoing student evaluations and data collection. Upon the identification of a child’s exceptionality, there is a collaborative effort between the department, the student’s school, their teachers and their parents to make sure the best avenues are taken to address the child’s academic needs within the IEP. Some students requiring a smaller amount of individualized attention may be in a regular education setting with accommodations, while others may spend more time in a special education environment with direct instruction provided by the special education teacher. All activities and progress are consistently monitored by the special education teacher and the regular education teacher. Stacy believes that “it’s important for the regular education teacher and the special education teacher to work well together.” She emphasizes, “Collaboration is important.” Stacy wants teachers to be empowered to do what’s necessary for each individual child, while keeping in mind needed improvements and what they need to communicate to administrators to make things better in their classes. Teachers of exceptional students are expected to know each child’s specific exceptionality to assure that they implement the IEP in the best way possible.

There are currently approximately 2000 students with disabilities in Effingham County. Stacy and the department is very wellequipped, though, having nearly 300 staff members, including over 100 certified staff members, dedicated to helping students and their families in the best ways possible.

Aside from working with the school system towards enhancing the academic lives of exceptional students, Stacy is also directly responsible for personnel and budget management within her department. Boy, does that make for a busy schedule. Nonetheless, Stacy really enjoys being at the different schools around the kids.

“I love hearing them and seeing them,” she states. She later points out, “I am a hands-on kind of leader.”

Stacy feels that it’s of dire importance to work on relationships between parents, staff and administrators at the school level. For this reason, her department has implemented programs, such as a Parent Advisory Committee, and even has a Parent Mentor to plan events and offer important, need-specific training for parents.

Stacy understands that building a good relationship with parents establishes a phenomenal foundation from which students can grow. She wants each parents to know that her department has a genuine interest in the success of their child. Therefore, Stacy takes a tremendous amount of pride in being approachable and www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 27

reachable. Upon taking her position as Coordinator, she thought, “I want people to feel they could talk to me about anything… that they could always contact me, and we can work through anything.” Stacy enthusiastically declares, “I’m a people-person.”

She also believes that a good line of communication between the entire school system and parents is essential. She says, “Communication is key with me. I think relationships are very important.”

Still, Stacy knows that there is no “I” in team. She is very proud of the group that she works alongside, pointing out, “We have such a great team here that works together. I’m proud of the things we’ve done; we do the best we can with what we have.

I’m blessed to have a good team.” Stacy’s direct team includes her Assistant Coordinator--Cindy Knight, three Program Managers--Lindsay Blakey, Ashly Hunter and Joy Sheppard, her Administrative Secretary--Jade Knight and Parent Mentor--Amy Ambrose. She is also proud that a recent graduate from the program’s Project SEARCH program based at Effingham County Hospital was hired to work at the Board of Education. She later declares, “We’ve got a lot of good things going on in our department; it’s a team effort. We just work really well together.” Stacy also gives high regard to the entire Effingham Board of Education, saying that they “so wonderfully work with [her] team about broadening the programs to reach as many students as possible.”

Stacy, who is also a mother of three—Abby, her stepdaughter Abi, her son McKay and daughter Murphy, understands the importance of striving to identify with parents’ feelings concerning their children. She states, “It’s important to put yourself in their shoes. What we try to do is give them hope. We can do this together.” Stacy feels that “parents want someone just to listen to them.” She encourages parents to have a voice in the lives of their children. Stacy admits, “I like getting feedback from people; I like

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28 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

knowing that they care enough to say something.”

Speaking of parents, Stacy is very appreciative for her own, crediting many of her qualities and philosophies to her mom and dad, Pat and Ken Kennedy. With a bright smile, she says, “My parents were great role models for me.” Stacy thinks that her more outgoing, social side comes from her mom. She mentions, “Her true gift is being able to relate to people.” Furthermore, Stacy is confident that her work-ethic and professionalism stem directly from her dad, who happens to be a retired Gulfstream engineer.

Stacy also talks warmly of several individuals who have impacted her life in a most positive way. She mentions Greg Arnsdorff, her former Assistant Superintendant. She would like to emulate “someone like that who has a love for children and the community.” She says, “He was a vision of what I wanted to be.” Stacy also speaks fondly of Phyllis Graham, her education teacher in high school, saying she inspired her to have “a love for education at a young age.” Stacy also mentions Lewis Beachum, a former principal at Guyton Elementary where she once worked who gave her the opportunities to lead.

Stacy has several goals for the future. She’d like her team to continue their path towards success. She would also like to work more with parents on the success-based initiatives that are being implemented for their children. Stacy additionally states, “I’d like to make people more knowledgeable about what special education is…to understand that all children have abilities and that they’re capable of doing things.”

Stacy believes that “children are our future.” She, along with her team at The Department of Exceptional Student Services, are diligently working to ensure that as many children as possible have a really bright future of their own.

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Effingham County School Calendar 2015-2016 September 7 September 8 October 8 October 8 October 9 October 12-13 October 19 November 11 November 16 November 23 – 27 Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 January 6 January 13 January 18 February 9 February 11 February 12 February 15 March 14 March 17 March 21 March 25 - April 1 April 25 May 25 May 26 – 27 May 27 May 28 June 1

Labor Day - No school Issue First Nine Weeks Progress Reports Last Day of First Nine Weeks Parent/Teacher Conferences - Students Dismmissed Early Professional Development Day - Student Holiday Fall Holiday - No School Issue First Nine Weeks Report Cards Veterans Day - No School Issue Second Nine Weeks Progress Reports Thanksgiving Holidays – No school Christmas Holidays – No school Last Day of Second Nine Weeks; End of First Semester Issue Second Nine Weeks Report Cards Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – No school Issue Third Nine Weeks Progress Reports Parent/Teacher Conferences - Students Dismissed Early Professional Development Day - Student Holiday Winter Holiday – No school Last Day of Third Nine Weeks Professional Development Day - Student Holiday Issue Third Nine Weeks Report Cards Spring Holidays - No School Issue Fourth Nine Weeks Progress Reports Last day of school, Fourth Nine Weeks, and Second Semester Post-planning for staff ECHS Graduation – 7 p.m. at Rebel Field SEHS Graduation – 7 p.m. at The Corral Fourth Nine Weeks Report Cards released on Parent Portal at 5 p.m. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 31

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2015-2016 Effingham County School Administrators story by casie wilson photos by natalie mcalister

Har r iett Sno oks

Blandford Elementar y 4650 McCall Road, Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-4200 Fax 912-826-4747 Mascot: Blandford Blue Jays When opened: 2006 Mission statement: Blandford Elementar y School’s mission is to inspire its students to str ive for their highest potential, to create a passion for lear ning, and to provide tools for making life choices that ensure lasting success.

34 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

B

landford Elementary School Principal Harriett Snooks has always enjoyed instilling a passion for learning and a sense of wonder in new students. With the 2015-2016 school year well on its way, she looks forward to making a lasting impression in the lives of students on the first day of school.

“It is always thrilling to watch students’ excitement as they return to school or enter through the doors for the very first time,” she said.

Snooks graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Early Childhood Education, as well as a minor in Science. She soon found herself teaching second grade at Springfield Elementary for 10 years, where she strived to make lasting personal connections with her students.

“I loved building relationships with the students,” she said. “I first taught trust and respect toward one another, as well as with me as the teacher. I loved getting to know my students, learning their talents, celebrating their successes and watching them blossom. Knowing that I made an impact on a child, whether it was academically in the classroom or outside in the real world was truly rewarding.”

Improving literacy rates has always been one of Snooks’ passions. She spent seven years as a Reading Recovery instructor before obtaining the title of Literacy Coach as a part of a federal reading grant.

“I loved the challenge of reaching out to the students and seeing them excel in a subject that typically is neither their favorite nor easiest one in school,” Snooks said. “The simple rewards of seeing their eyes light up or the raw emotion on their face as they have those ‘aha’ moments when it all clicks for them made it all worthwhile.”

While serving as the Literacy Coach, Snooks also worked as one of the Springfield Elementary’s Instructional Supervisors before stepping in as Assistant Principal for six years. In 2012, after 26 years at Springfield Elementary, she was named Principal of Blandford Elementary and remains in that position now. Snooks takes pride in the fact that Blandford Elementary is known for serving students through a quality education that fits their personal needs.

“Each student at Blandford Elementary is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs,” she said. “Blandford Elementary is fortunate to have exemplary teachers who treat our students with respect and dignity and inspires each of them to strive for their highest potential, to create a passion for learning, and to provide tools for making life choices that ensure lasting success.”

She went on to say that Blandford Elementary will aim to continue the excellent educational experience during the coming year through this individualized approach.

“Our teachers are always eager to try innovative techniques in their own classrooms, to enhance student growth and ensure overall student success,” Snooks said. “Many of our students have diverse interests and strengths, therefore, we are always seeking best practices that are interactive to promote student growth and that continually ignite a spark in their learning.”

E

ven though Ebenezer Elementary School principal Beth Kight has seen her fair share of school years― over 25 in Effingham alone― she is confident that this year will be one to top them all, thanks to dedicated staff and parents.

“I believe that it will be the best school year yet,” Kight said. “Ebenezer Elementary teachers are dedicated professionals. Our students know that our teachers care about them. We have the support of wonderful parents, and enjoy an outstanding Parent Teacher Organization that works seamlessly with our school to support students and staff.”

Although she began teaching in Telfair County, she began her Effingham teaching career as a long-term substitute teacher at the old Guyton Elementary Lower School Campus, under Principal Lewis Beacham. When a first grade instructor position opened at Springfield Elementary, she leapt at the chance. From there, she taught kindergarten, third and fifth grades and Reading Recovery courses at both Springfield and Ebenezer Elementary Schools, and even earned the title of Ebenezer Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year.

However, Kight wanted to do more for Effingham students. When she realized that she could serve the community through leadership, she pursued the necessary certifications. Kight has worked as a site Data Collector for the Georgia teacher evaluation program, and as Georgia Southern University Clinical Associate for EES since 1998, initiating and organizing clinical experiences for GSU’s college of education. She has also served as instructional supervisor and assistant principal at Ebenezer Elementary. It was only a matter of a time until she earned the title of principal of the school, a position she has held since 2007.

This year Ebenezer Elementary will work toward implementing a new local initiative Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This program aims to encourage better behavior through positive reinforcement.

“It is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success,” she said.

While Kight’s pride in Ebenezer Elementary’s accomplishments is outweighed only by her confidence in the school’s future, she admits that EES’s success made possible thanks to a wonderful staff.

“I could not find a finer group of educators who truly are committed to providing boys and girls a quality education,” she said. “Our teachers are smart, warm, and caring. We value our good standing with parents and support in the community.”

Bet h Kig ht

Ebenezer Elementary 1198 Ebenezer Road, Rincon, GA 31326 912-754-5522 Fax 912-754-5527 Mascot: Ebenezer Eagles When opened: 1995, new wing added 2005 Mission statement: As a community of learners, in cooperation with stakeholders, our mission is: To provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 35

C har lotte Co nn elly

Guyton Elementary 719 Central Blvd, Guyton, GA 31312 912-772-3384 Fax 912-772-5523 Mascot: Guyton Gators When opened: Current campus opened 1988.

Additions made in 1999, 2003.

Mission statement: As a community of learners, in cooperation with stakeholders, our mission is: To provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.or making life choices that ensure lasting success.

36 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

G

uyton Elementary School Principal Charlotte Connelly may not have always wished to become a teacher, but her heart has always reached out for the good on the community with unshakable positivity.

Connelly attended the University of South Carolina with full intentions to enter the television and media industry. But as she spent more and more time working at daycares between classes, Connelly realized her true passion in working with children. So she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught for two years in Colleton County, South Carolina at Ivenia Brown Elementary School. She moved to Effingham in 1997 with her husband and began teaching pre-K at Guyton Elementary School. After receiving her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University and before she knew it, she was named the assistant principal, and when Principal Lewis Beacham retired in 2010, she stepped in as principal.

Connelly admits that at times, holding a leadership position in the education system can be stressful, especially in a county that holds education to such a high standard.

“It’s been a learning curve, but I love what I do and I love coming in every day,” she said. “The staff here is amazing, and this is such a great community school. We all seem to work really well together here. We have that sense of family.”

Connelly looks forward to the start of a new year, especially with so many exciting changes on the way. This year, Guyton Elementary welcomes a new instructional supervisor/assistant principal Jennifer Peavy and some new additions to the teaching staff. Effingham County has adopted new English Language Arts resources. Guyton will continue with the iRead initiative and Balance Literacy Framework which includes Guided Reading.

With the school also receiving a newly renovated media center and freshly re-carpeted stage area, Connelly says the school now looks as great as it feels.

“I’m excited for this coming school year, because we have a lot of new ideas we’re going to put into place this year,” she said. “I just feel like everything looks good and feels good.”

Connelly says this year, Guyton Elementary staff will focus on continuing its tradition of outstanding teamwork.

“My theme for this year is ‘GES Dream Team,’ because I want my teachers to know that if we have teamwork, we can make the dream work,” she said. “Together, we can help our kids reach for the stars and exceed expectations.”

When it comes to long term goals, Connelly believes that being positive is key.

“I just want to help my kids learn,” she said. “I want them to know that they’re somebody, and that they can do anything they set their minds to. The best thing I can do is make a positive learning environment for them to succeed.”

W

ith test scores and literacy rates on the rise at Marlow Elementary, it would be easy for Principal Wallace Blackstock to take credit for the school’s growth.

However, Blackstock says that none of it would be possible without the teachers’ dedication to education.

“It’s easy to look good and be a good principal when you have a good staff to begin with,” he said. “I count my blessings that I inherited such an excellent staff.”

Blackstock began his teaching career as a Physical Education instructor at Pooler Elementary School after graduating Armstrong Atlantic State College. He taught PE for three years and worked to obtain an Early Elementary teaching degree from Georgia Southern. He then moved on to teaching kindergarten, second through fourth grades, and computer education before transferring to Rincon Elementary School. There, he worked in kindergarten, third grade and fourth grade classrooms, and eventually became assistant principal. Blackstock also held the position at South Effingham Middle School and South Effingham Elementary before becoming the principal of Marlow Elementary three years ago.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything all over the place,” he said with a laugh.

One of Blackstock’s primary goals is improving literacy rates. This year, Marlow Elementary received a threeyear Reading Mentor grant from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. This means that all kindergarten through third grade teachers will be involved in expert literacy training with a literacy coach. The ultimate goal is to have every third grader on reading level by the time they leave third grade. He believes this can be accomplished through consistent teamwork.

“We recognize that every teacher has to be a reading teacher, even the math, science and social studies teachers,” he said. “Reading comprehension transcends any subject area.”

Blackstock wishes to not only improve literacy and lesson comprehension, but also strengthen teacher-student relationships through a mentoring program that will take effect this year.

“While we continue delivering strong instruction in all content areas, we’re going to try to work even more with relationships,” Blackstock said. “Having a mentoring program between our teachers and our students will help that. It’s not just a student with their classroom teacher.

They’ll also have the opportunity to interact with another teacher who is their mentor, someone who is their go-to person if they’re having a bad day. Everyone, teachers and students, will have a chance to meet other people and develop new relationships.”

This year, Marlow Elementary will also focus on building relationships with parents to provide students with a better overall education.

“We love to have parents help us with the teaching process, so I want to get more parents involved as volunteers and provide some guidance for how parents can better help their children at home,” Blackstock said. “We can do a great job just with the teaching staff, but we can do an even greater job when we partner with parents. It’s definitely the smartest decision here.”

Wallace Blacks to ck

Marlow Elementary 5160 Hwy 17 South, Guyton, GA 31312 912-728-3262 Fax 912-728-4477 Mascot: Marlow Mustangs Mission statement: Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive learning environment that will enable our students to grow academically and socially.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 37

Paig e Di ckey

Rincon Elementary 501 N. Richland Ave., Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-5523 Fax 912-826-4052 Mascot: Bobcats When opened: 1905, also known as Effingham Institute. Current RES totally renovated in 1998, expanded in 2003.

Mission statement: To provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

38 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

A

lthough she has held the position for nearly 10 years, Rincon Elementary Principal Paige Dickey insists she is a mother first and foremost. She believes it is this that drives her to provide a quality educational experience for all the boys and girls at RES because she knows that mothers and fathers want the very best for their children.

“I enjoy watching new parents grow as they let their little ones go to class alone for the first time,” she said.

“Those amazing first steps are such an important part of life for the little one as well as the parents. I am here for them if they need me for a few minutes, because I am a mom first. I understand those feelings. They are bittersweet moments.”

Dickey began her career in her hometown of Savannah, teaching across multiple grade levels for five years.

When she moved to Effingham County in 1995, Effingham County High School principal Harris Hinely and Dr. Linda Stevens, the high school’s Instructional Supervisor, encouraged Dickey to transfer to ECHS. “Working in a large high school was a new and rewarding experience,” she said. “They were wonderful to work for, I made many long-time friends and I learned so much from both of them and the teachers at the school.”

On Mr. Hinely’s advice, Dickey went back to school and received her degree in education administration from Georgia Southern University, and soon earned the position of assistant principal at South Effingham High School. After several years with the title, she moved to Atlanta and became a coordinator in the special education department in the Fayette County School System.

“I missed Effingham County the entire time I was gone, though,” she said.

Dickey returned to Effingham in 2002, and served as the assistant principal at ECHS until she became the principal of Rincon Elementary School in 2006.

This year, Rincon Elementary looks forward to incorporating more science and technology to begin the process towards becoming a STEM certified school. The school will also welcome a new counselor and innovative additions to the school-wide College and Career Readiness Program, as well as the adoption of a Positive Behavioral Intervention System.

“Our teachers have traditionally been excellent at pro-active approaches,” she said. “They are a very positive faculty, and now we are going to have a cohesive plan we are going to teach to our children as well.”

Dickey admits that over the years she has spent in the education system, no other school day compares to the excitement she still feels on the first day of school.

“I am sort of like an eternal student, as I think most educators are,” she said. “Inside, most of us get excited about ‘packing our book bags’ so to speak. We like the smell of new school supplies, to see what kind of lunchboxes come out this year and to get ready for the first day of school. I can’t wait each year to meet our new students, see how much returning students have grown, how many teeth they have lost and hear about their summer adventures.”

F

or Kristen Richards, principal of Sand Hill Elementary School, being a leader means more than carrying a title.

“Leadership is a shared partnership with everyone in the organization,” she said. “I am immensely proud to be a part of such a dynamic school system as ours.”

Before she became an educator, Richards worked as a news reporter for United Press International, as well as Savannah Morning News’ Hilton Head and Beaufort divisions. She also was a feature writer for Islander Magazine and a writer for Georgia Public Radio’s children’s program “Pajamatime.”

“My father had been a university professor, and my grandmother a public school teacher, so that was an influence during my ‘formative years’ that eventually contributed to my decision to teach,” she said.

Richards received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University, then took some remaining post-graduate courses at Georgia Southern.

She began her career as a paraprofessional, then taught middle and elementary grades. Richards moved to Effingham in the 1990s to teach 5th grade Language Arts at South Effingham Elementary School. While there, she earned the title of South Effingham Elementary and county-wide Teacher of the Year for the 1999-2000 school year. After Richards powered through leadership programs such as the Georgia Department of Education’s Leadership 21 and the ECBOE’s Aspiring Leaders’ training, she served as assistant principal and then principal of Sand Hill Elementary School. While she found the programs extremely helpful, Richards says she is thankful for all the encouragement that has driven her to this point.

“I was fortunate to have terrific principals and people in the Board of Education as mentors who demonstrated belief in my potential and steered me towards leadership,” she said.

The 2015-2016 school year will bring new curriculum in English Language Arts and the introduction of more programs promoting science and mathematics. Richards said the school will also continue utilizing technology and interactive learning techniques in classrooms to enhance reading and math studies.

“I would like to encourage more parent involvement through joining our active PTA,” she added. “I especially encourage working with the Title 1 Parent Liaison, who can assist families with how to help and support their children’s education at home.”

Richards believes that a quality education extends outside the classroom and enthusiastically supports Sand Hill’s after-school programs like the STEM club, Reading Quiz Bowl, chess club and Junior BETA club.

“After school, Sand Hill Elementary has such a dedicated faculty and staff,” she said, “and it shows by all of the activities teachers willingly take on in order to enhance the learning environment for our students.”

Kr is te n Ri chard s

Sand Hill Elementary 199 Stagecoach Ave., Guyton, GA 31312 912-728-5112 Fax 912-728-5125 Mascot: Sand Hill Hornets When opened: 1995.

MIssion Statement: To provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 39

Anna Barto n

South Effingham Elementary 767 Kolick Helmly Road, Guyton, GA 31312 912-728-3801 Fax 912-728-4487 Mascot: South Effingham Mustangs Mission statement: Our school is a safe place where teachers challenge, students excel, friendships form, and bright futures are made.

40 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

A

nna Barton could be considered a late bloomer in the educational community.

Despite her mother’s career as a teacher, Barton didn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps until she started a family. In fact, it wasn’t until the birth of her first son that she took an interest in teaching.

“Although I was always an avid reader and loved books, teaching my own son to read was a turning point in my life,” she said. “I realized that I was pretty good at it and wanted to share that passion for reading and literacy with other children.”

Since then, Barton obtained her Bachelor’s degree is in Early Childhood Education and her Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy. She also received Educational Specialist degree in Brain-based Teaching and Learning with an emphasis on Teacher Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, all while teaching third grade at South Effingham Elementary.

As for educational administration, Barton credits her leadership skills to the guidance of former SEES administrators Cheryl Christain and Susan Hartzog. Christain recommended her for the Effingham County Aspiring Leaders Program, which ultimately helped her acquire the title of Instructional Supervisor at Springfield Elementary.

“This was a tremendously positive learning experience for me, as I looked at teaching and learning through a completely different lens- the administrative side of things,” Barton said.

Returning to South Effingham Elementary as principal in 2014 was Barton’s dream come true. However, earning the title only two weeks before summer preplanning with the school undergoing serious renovations― empty, unfurnished classrooms, the parking lot reduced to a pile of dirt― she went into this position feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“I remember telling my husband that I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself in to,” she said. “I truly didn’t think there was any way we were going to begin school on time.”

Barton says the school was able to power through thanks to the staff’s optimism and positive attitudes.

“I must say that the teachers had the best attitudes about it and took everything in stride,” she said. “I was amazed by the work ethic and late nights spent by all getting ready to welcome our students and parents back to school.”

This year, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement has given South Effingham Elementary a grant to launch the “Reading Mentor Program: A Language and Literacy Partnership.”

“I wholeheartedly believe that a solid foundation in reading and literacy in the early grades is the key to success for all students,” she said. “We want all of our students to be successful here at South Effingham Elementary School, and I believe that a strong literacy initiative is at the heart of success in every subject area.

Yes, teachers have a lot on their plates—more than ever before. But the teachers at SEES are up for the challenge and excited about it. We are going into this initiative as a team!”

L

isa Woods, an Effingham native and principal of Springfield Elementary School, knew from a young age that she had a knack for education.

“It was just something that I grew up knowing I wanted to do,” she said. “My mom worked as a secretary and a substitute at Central Junior High, and she would talk about school and share stories about helping students that inspired me to want to work with children. She has always encouraged me to fulfill my dream of becoming an educator. My dad and my grandfather were also teachers, and I played school my entire childhood. I had a big chalkboard in the garage and just played school all the time.”

Woods explored her love of teaching through the child care program in high school, and still wished to pursue it after graduation. She received her first teaching degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University and her first teaching job after meeting the Board of Education’s Harris Hinley at a job fair. She started teaching kindergarten at Springfield Elementary School soon afterwards, and stayed there for 16 years. During that time, Woods decided to go back and get her master’s degree and a leadership add-on degree from Georgia Southern. With her new credentials, she soon took on the position of Instructional Supervisor at Sand Hill Elementary for a year before becoming the assistant principal of Effingham County Middle School.

While she enjoyed the seven years she spent at ECMS, Woods leapt at the chance to return to Springfield Elementary as the new principal. Since she took the position earlier this summer, Woods says she’s glad to be back, although it feels like she never really left.

“When I left Springfield Elementary, I didn’t get the usual goodbye fanfare where they have a party on your last day, because I made the switch during the summer,” she said. “So it was never really a goodbye.”

Woods went on to say that the chance return was a miracle and a blessing.

“I really wanted to be here,” Woods said. “This is where I went to elementary school. I taught here, and my children went here. It was like a blessing that I got to come back. It was a dream come true. I can’t hardly stand to leave in the afternoon, and I’m up at night thinking of ideas and new things to do. I’m just so excited to be here again!”

Woods says that none of this would have been possible without the support of her family and the faculties she has worked with over the years. While she does not plan to implement many changes to school policy or new programs for the 2015-2016 school year, she is determined to bring in the year with optimism.

“I just plan to really encourage the teachers and students to be the best that they can be,” she said. “I want to be available in any way I can. I really want to motivate the staff as well.

She also hopes to promote good behavior through this upbeat outlook and encouraging students to succeed.

“We’re going to treat children like they’re champions,” she said. “If we set the bar high, the students will rise to meet that.”

Lisa Wo o d s

Springfield Elementary 300 Old Dixie Hwy, Springfield, GA 31329 912-754-3326 Fax 912-754-7172 Mascot: Springfield Bulldogs When opened: Current campus opened in 2003.

Mission Statement: Springfield Elementary School ... where every student will work toward a high school diploma through meaningful teaching and learning every day.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 41

Apr i l Ho dg e s

South Effingham Middle 1200 Noel C. Conaway Road, Guyton, GA 31312 912-728-7500 Fax 912-728-7508 Mascot: South Effingham Mustangs Date opened: 1996 Mission statement: As a Community of learners,in cooperation with stakeholders,our mission is to provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

42 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

S

outh Effingham Middle School Principal April Hodges did not always intend to become such an influential leader in the Effingham County education system. She originally planned to enter the medical field. However, family has always been important to her, and her mother, a nurse, advised that a doctor’s lifestyle doesn’t fit well with a budding family. So she explored her other options.

“I realized that I had other gifts that would be best used in the field of education and ministry,” Hodges said.

“I consider those fields to be one in the same.”

She ended up teaching for more than 10 years in three different counties, primarily in middle schools. Soon after, she earned her advanced degree and was named assistant principal at Effingham County Middle School in 2007. After five years of serving students through this position, Hodges decided to pursue the title of principal.

“I didn’t know if I was ready for it or if I’d be good at it, but I tried anyway,” she said.

Although Hodges was nervous going into the application process, her determination paid off in the end. She was named principal of South Effingham Middle School in 2012 and has enjoyed every second of it since then.

Today, she takes great pride in the school’s accomplishments and growth in recent years. Hodges maintains an active online presence, often touting the school’s achievements on Twitter.

With a new school year on the way, Hodges says she looks forward to new beginnings.

“I’m always excited about a fresh, new school year,” she said. “Everything is a clean slate and everyone is ready for a new beginning.”

Hodges says she is also excited to see the school launch bigger and better programs, like the newly implemented STEAM initiative.

“We are incorporating a new program this year called STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math,” she explained. “This initiative is geared toward those students who are inclined to those areas and who are looking to engage in work in those disciplines.”

She went on to say that one team in each grade level that will have a STEAM focus. South Effingham Middle School hopes to expand the program every year, and eventually obtain a STEAM certification. Besides obtaining this prestigious authorization, Hodges says that academic excellence and outstanding extracurricular programs are a priority.

“We will still move forward with all of the other clubs and programs that we currently implement,” she said, “focusing on continuous academic improvement.”

W

hen Pembroke native and Effingham County Middle School principal Billy Hughes first entered the education field, the decision of where to start was easy.

“I wanted to be close to home so that I could help my dad on the farm, and Effingham County had the closest opening for an Ag teacher,” he said simply. “So I just went for it.”

Since then, Hughes fell in love with the county and has served the community through agricultural education for over 25 years.

“I love it. I mean, I’ve stuck around for this long, right?” he said with a laugh. “I’ve made Effingham County my home, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of being here.”

Hughes received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia in 1989 and his master’s degree from Clemson University in 1990. After earning a position as an agriculture teacher at Effingham County High School, he worked his way up to become the ECHS assistant principal and CTAE supervisor in 2006 before acquiring the position of principal at Effingham County Middle School.

This year, Effingham County Middle School will be integrating a STEM approach into the existing curriculum. This STEM integration will focus students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math. For all grades, ECMS will offer a STEM focused Science Enrichment class that will give students practical, hands-on application and get them excited about science, technology, engineering and math. For eighth grade students, ECMS will continue to offer Advanced Physical Science and Spanish, allowing students to receive high school credit in these courses.

“We’re excited for all the new programs promoting reading and math,” he said. “And we’re even more excited for our new teachers who are coming in. This year’s going to bring in a lot of new things, and that will hopefully bring much improvement for our school.”

While these programs set the bar high for student success, Hughes says these high standards will encourage students to exceed expectations not just today, but for years to come.

“We want excellent achievement from our kids,” he said. “We want our students to enjoy coming to school, and we want to provide them with the tools to do well, not only in our school, but in high school and life beyond graduation.”

Bi lly Hug he s

Effingham County Middle 1659 Hwy 119 South, Guyton, GA 31312 912-772-7001 Fax 912-772-7005 Mascot: Effingham Panthers When opened: 2009.

Mission statement: As a community of learners, in cooperation with stakeholders, our mission is to provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 43

Am ie Di ckerso n

Ebenezer Middle 1100 Ebenezer Road, Rincon, GA 31326 912-754-7757 Fax 912-754-4012 Mascot: Ebenezer Eagles Mission statement: The mission of Ebenezer Middle School is to nurture and facilitate the academic, social and emotional growth of our diverse learners so they can successfully transition to the secondary environment.

44 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

D

espite Ebenezer Middle School principal Amie Dickerson’s years of experience in the education system, the first day of school still holds the same appeal for her now as it did when she was young.

“The best thing about working in the school system is that I always get to experience the excitement of a new school year,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with my faculty and staff to ensure our students have the best educational opportunities available.”

When she decided to go back to school to pursue her education degree, Dickerson originally took on a job as a South Effingham High School paraprofessional to accommodate her busy class schedule.

“Little did I know it would afford me the opportunity to begin making meaningful contributions to Effingham County students, while at the same time gaining a better understanding of the educational system itself,” she said.

Dickerson officially began her teaching career at Effingham County Middle School as a language arts teacher before transferring to Ebenezer Middle School the first year it opened its doors. She continued serving as a classroom teacher at EMS for several years before she earned the titles of assistant principal and eventually principal of Ebenezer Middle School.

Dickerson received her Bachelor’s degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2000, her Master’s from Phoenix University and will earn her Education Specialist degree in 2016. While Dickerson has always had a passion for education, she admits that her drive to become an administrator was in part fueled by the leadership of former Effingham County Middle School and Ebenezer Middle School principal Beth Helmly.

“Mrs. Helmly was quick to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of her staff,” Dickerson said. “She also had high expectations of the personnel on her campus.

After watching Mrs. Helmly ‘in action,’ I knew this was the type of leader I wanted to be.”

This year, the Board of Education has granted Ebenezer Middle School the resources to hire another band director and math teacher. Dickerson is also proud to welcome a new assistant principal, as well as implementing more curriculum and programs in preparation for STEM, a new county-wide initiative with a focus on science and mathematics.

“EMS is looking forward to applying additional science and technology activities into our curriculum as we move towards the implementation of STEM in our county,” Dickerson said. “Our teachers strive to provide a well-rounded education, and we are excited not only about what goes on in their classrooms, but also the many after-school activities available for our children.”

A

n Effingham native and community leader, Effingham County High School principal Yancy Ford believes the education system does more than empower students. It strengthens the community as a whole.

“We want to serve our students, their families and our community to the best of our ability,” he said. “If we help kids be successful, we’re helping their families and that in turn gives back to the community. ECHS has been successful in all of this because of the work of our teachers and staff. The classroom is truly where the rubber meets the road.”

While he always had the desire to become a teacher and a coach, Ford decided to pursue Sports Marketing and Management at Georgia Southern. He even landed a job in Atlanta with the company Cable and Wireless.

“But I wasn’t happy. So I made the decision to go back to school and do what I would actually enjoy doing,” Ford said.

He quit his job and went back to school, earning his certificate in Business Education from Georgia Southern in 1998. Despite his lack of experience in education system, superintendent Michael Moore and Effingham County Middle School principal Beth Helmey saw Ford’s potential and hired him in 1999.

“They took a chance on me, and I’m very fortunate that they did,” he said.

Ford taught computer classes to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at ECMS for a year before transferring to Effingham County High School. There, Ford coached football, baseball and golf. He joined the administration staff in 2004 as ECHS’s assistant principal and athletic director. Two short years later, he earned the position of principal of the school and has held that title for nearly 10 years.

Ford says he looks forward to the 2015-2016 school year and all the opportunities that lie ahead.

“The beginning of a new school year always excites me because it’s an opportunity to see the students we haven’t seen all summer,” he said. “I’m excited to see our incoming freshmen, because they’re excited about all the new opportunities and it’s something new for them. We look forward to having an impact on these kids and watching them reach their goals.”

Among those goals, earning a high school diploma is a top priority at ECHS. To better work toward higher graduation rates, last year the faculty and staff adopted the motto, “One Team, One Dream.”

“The dream of many families is for their children to get their high school diploma so they can move on the college, the military, the work force, whatever the case may be,” Ford said. “That high school diploma can open up so many more doors. We can’t help these kids achieve that unless we’re one team and all on the same page. So we’ll continue reminding ourselves every day that we’re one team, and we’re all working toward that one dream.”

Yancy Fo rd

Effingham County High 1589 Hwy 119 South, Springfield, GA 31329 912-754-6404 Fax 912-754-6893 Mascot: Effingham Rebels Year opened: Current campus opened 1989 Mission statement: As a community of learners, in cooperation with stakeholders, our mission is to provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 45

Mark Winters

South Effingham High 1220 Noel C. Conaway Rd., Guyton, GA 31312 912-728-7511 Fax 912-728-7529 Mascot: South Effingham Mustangs Year opened: Opened 1996.

Mission statement: As a community of learners, in cooperation with stakeholders, our mission is to provide rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe environment to enable all students to obtain a high school diploma as a foundation for post secondary success.

46 August/September 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

S

outh Effingham High School principal Mark Winters may have had a hand in SEHS’s growing success over the years, but he insists that the heart of the school lies in the faculty and students.

“Up until we start football conditioning, band camp and some of the other camps that go on, it’s so quiet and deserted here,” Winters said. “When you drive by, it looks just like it does all year long, but the life’s not here until the staff and students come back. I’m excited to see that energy come back to the school.”

Winters studied English at Florida International University and the University of Miami, where he received his Master’s degree. Winters started teaching English at a middle school in Miami in 1989, but soon returned home to Effingham County. There he began teaching at ECHS until South Effingham High School opened its doors in 1996. Winters taught English there the first year and became the assistant principal the second, all while earning his doctoral degree in 2000. He also served as the principal of South Effingham Middle School for a few years before earning the position at SEHS in 2009.

Winters says that in his many years serving the school, he has always been amazed of the constant dedication of everyone involved.

“South Effingham High School has grown tremendously since it opened in 1996,” he said, “but one thing that has remained the same is the support of the community, the dedication of the staff and the students’ commitment. Everyone is invested not only in the learning process, but the entire high school experience as a whole.

That type of commitment is what makes South Effingham High such a great school.”

Besides some state curriculum changes that are bound to roll in at the start of a new school year, both high schools are preparing for the addition of the STEM program to the Effingham College and Career Academy. The STEM courses, which encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, will be begin in 2017. South Effingham High School has taken measures to introduce students to this exciting expansion, including the start of a computer science program. Winters says SEHS will continue these classes this year and build on this groundwork in the future.

Regardless of what the years to come have in store, Winters expects South Effingham High School will continue in the tradition of exceeding expectations.

“There is a strong tradition of excellence here that we call the ‘Mustang Legend’,” he said. “I would like to see that built upon. I hope to see some of the great things the school has done be eclipsed by even greater things accomplished by our students and staff.”

C

ompletely authentic in her belief that every day provides an opportunity to learn and become better at everything you do, Effingham College and Career Academy (ECCA) CEO, Dr. Barbara Prosser is one of the biggest advocates and supporters of the Effingham County School District’s motto, “Tradition with a Vision.” Every day she strives to inspire and engage students to pursue their dreams for prosperity and a promising future in the work force. She serves on the Boards and as a member of several professional business organizations to inspire management and human resource professionals to invest in student internships and projects to sustain a highly skilled and technically proficient work force.

“Preparing our students and keeping them excited and motivated with real hands-on experience is rewarding,” Prosser said. “Seeing these students realize their potential keeps us going.”

Prosser had intentions of becoming an English teacher.

Business classes changed her mind at the University of West Georgia and she earned her Bachelor’s of Business Administration. She entered the University of Georgia and earned her Masters of Accountancy and Doctorate of Education while teaching accounting and systems. After corporate experiences, she joined KPMG, one of the top four international accounting firms and became involved with executive education and strategic services consulting in eleven countries. Returning to Georgia to care for her elderly parents in Statesboro, she worked at Effingham Health System and became involved in the community.

When the CEO position opened at ECCA in 2011, Prosser says her decision to join ECCA was an obvious one, since it involved her two passions: educating the community and serving the community through business and education partnerships.

“Education has always been a part of what I did, no matter what position I held,” she said. “In business, professional development is critical to businesses staying current and competitive. Education is key to sustainability of economic growth.”

This year, ECCA will prepare for the opening of STEM classes in August 2016, with increased focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies relevant to the career credentials earned by ECCA students.

The addition of a new wing to the ECCA campus, doubling its current size adds innovative labs, an aircraft assembly and aviation lab, a food court, and, 16 classrooms.

Prosser has seen stronger work ethics and values from new and returning students each year, a result of a focused curriculum for those subjects.

“I am very proud we are building confidence, character and pride in working,” she said. “It’s great to see students who will look you in the eye and greet you with a handshake, and who are happy to be ECCA students. The class of 2020 is currently in eighth grade and will be in high demand to replace retired baby boomers in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and technology jobs.”

“I am very passionate about helping employers succeed by having a sustainable qualified work force,” she said. “I do believe that every student, not just those here at ECCA, has the ability to become a good employee, productive citizen and very prosperous in a job.”

She has a daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Kennesaw.

Barbara Pro sser

Effingham College & Career Academy 2940 Highway 21 South Rincon, Geor gia 31326 912-754-5610 Fax 912-754-5611 Mission statement: To create a high tech career focus to better ser ve our team member s’ needs for those enter ing directly into the wor kforce from high school and those planning fur ther post-secondar y options.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/September 2015 47

As hley Kieff er

Effingham College & Career Academy 2940 Highway 21 South Rincon, Geor gia 31326 912-754-5610 Fax 912-754-5611 Mission statement: To create a high tech career focus to better ser ve our team member s’ needs for those enter ing directly into the wor kforce from high school and those planning fur ther post-secondar y options.

48 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

A

businessman at heart, Effingham College and Career Academy Director of High School Programs Ashley Kieffer may be new to the position, but he is certain that with determination and a knack for leadership, he will fit right in.

“I knew I would like to one day be an administrator in the school system,” he said. “I’ve always considered myself to be a leader, both in the community and in my church.”

This year, ECCA will partner with Savannah Technical College and begin offering a new Aircraft Assembly Technology dual enrollment program. Kieffer expects more dual enrollment possibilities in the future. He is also pleased with the addition of the STEM academy and curriculum. With this new initiative, students will be able to pursue advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a new expansion of the academy to be finished in 2017, complete with some of the most innovative teaching tools available.

“The students of Effingham County are so fortunate to attend school in such a progressive system,” Kieffer said. “There are a lot of changes on the horizon for this wonderful school.”

Kieffer started out by owning a local pest control company for fifteen years before selling it in 2006. After taking a year to focus on his other business, a self-storage company, he realized his passion for educating Effingham students in the art of business. He earned a position as a business teacher at South Effingham High School in January of 2008. Even as he was still growing accustomed to the shift from the business world to the classroom, he returned to Georgia Southern University for his Master of Art in Teaching degree while teaching every day.

Kieffer says his background helped him provide a unique angle to the aspiring businesspeople in his classes.

“I believed that I had many interesting real world stories and examples that I could use in teaching business education, and I think that lead to my success in the classroom,” he said.

While his heart lies in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, or CTAE, Kieffer has applied for several non-CTAE administrative positions over the years.

“Things never worked out, but I’m happy that they didn’t,” he said.

Since then, Kieffer has been named the Director of High School Programs at Effingham College and Career Academy in 2015, as well as the CTAE Coordinator for the Effingham County School System. Although he appreciates the titles, Kieffer is more grateful to be doing what he loves.

“I am serving the school system and the students in Effingham County in the area where my heart has always been, CTAE,” he said.

Let’s Do Business...

IN EFFINGHAM www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 49

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Magazine.com | August/September 2015 51

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52 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

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Magazine.com | August/September 2015 53

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