Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School teacher Marilyn Davis was named District Teacher of the Year at Allendale County School District.
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore was surprised with a plaque, trophy, and roses for her retirement from the Allendale County School District at the 2023 Staff Recognition event.
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore received many hugs from teachers and staff at the 2023 Staff Recognition.
Class of 2023 Valedictorian Cameron Williams thanked educators and administrators at the end-of-year-celebration.
2022 Teacher of the Year Willie Johnson provided the musical entertainment for the event.
Liza Price is recognized for 38 years of teaching at ACSD.
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore gets an unexpected hug from a smaller member of the ACSD Tiger den.
Dr. Darrell Johnson, executive director of the Salkehatchie Superintendents Consortium, spoke some inspiring words at the event.
Teachers and staff with five to over 45 years of experience were all recognized at the event. Each and every individual was cheered on.
Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore smiles next to finance director Angela Grant at the ACSD 2023 Staff Recognition.
Stephanie Weir-Cox was named the Allendale-Fairfax Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Debra Thomas (right) is retiring from ACSD.
Patricia Cohen was recognized for over 30 years with Allendale County School District.
The Allendale-Fairfax High School (AFHS) teacher Uriah Lecky was named the school’s Teacher of the Year.
Butch Meyers walks to the front of the cafeteria to be recognized as high school Support Staff of the Year.
Gina Oswald is retiring from ACSD. She previously taught many years in Barnwell.
Carl Love is one of the retirees recognized at the end-of-year celebration.
Linda “Tootie” Harris is retiring and recognized for over 30 years of service to ACSD.
Veronda Cohen, principal secretary and bookkeeper, was named the Allendale-Fairfax Middle School Support Staff of the Year.
Retired teacher Patricia Johnson provides words of exaltation at ACSD’s end-of-year event.
Makayla Brown was named the Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School Support Staff of the year.
Marilyn Davis was named the Allendale County School District (ACSD) 2023 Teacher of the Year at the end-of-year celebration held on June 7.
Davis, an Allendale County native and ACSD alumna, has been a school counselor at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School (AFES) since August 2004.
“I wanted the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children of Allendale County,” said Davis. “What better way to grow in this profession than in the community in which I grew up.”
As District Teacher of the Year, Davis is excited to represent Allendale County Schools “for my effective hard work both inside and outside the district.”
The District Teacher of the Year is selected from the three Teachers of the Year for each school. While the Teacher of the Year award is voted on by peers, the District Teacher of the Year is selected through an extensive interview process, according to Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore.
Davis was first selected as Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School (AFES) Teacher of the Year before continuing to be recognized on a district level.
When Dr. Gilmore called her name, Davis’ first thought was her hard work, dedication, and passion for students and for her profession had not gone unnoticed.
“I am so excited and honored to be named Teacher of the Year for Allendale County Schools. This opportunity will give me the chance to let other school districts around the state of South Carolina know about the good things that are happening in Allendale County Schools,” said Davis.
In Allendale-Fairfax Middle School (AFMS), Stephanie Weir-Cox was named the Teacher of the Year after only working with the district for seven months. Weir-Cox previously taught history at Estill High School in Hampton County where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2021.
At Allendale-Fairfax High School (AFHS), career and technical education teacher Uriah Lecky was named Teacher of the Year.
AFES Support Staff of the Year was paraprofessional MaKayla Brown. Brown has worked at AFES since early 2022.
At AFMS, Veronda Cohen was named Support Staff of the Year. Cohen serves as the principal’s secretary and bookkeeper.
Butch Meyers was named Support Staff of the Year at AFHS in the last school year before his retirement.
Many retirees, including Meyers, were recognized for their dedication and hard work in ACSD.
Retirees Carl Love, Gina Oswald, Debra Thomas, Linda Jenkins, Lena Eady, Margaret McMillian, Pauline Badger, Sarah Davis, Linda “Tootie” Harris and Meyers were all awarded with an engraved trophy-vase and applauded heavily by their colleagues.
Many of these retirees have been in education for over 25 years.
“Thank you for your service to Allendale County School District,” said Dr. Gilmore. “This is a milestone for you and I pray your retirement is the best ever.”
Dr. Gilmore herself is also retiring after spending six years with ACSD and decades in education. She was surprised with a plaque, a trophy, and roses by staff.
“Allendale County School District won my heart in a significant way,” said Dr. Gilmore, who is continually impressed with her ACSD family.
The People-Sentinel will be publishing a full story on Dr. Gilmore’s career and retirement in the upcoming weeks.
