Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
DEAN MANSFIELD (noun) – A tough yet compassionate educator who dedicated her career to helping children in Allendale and Barnwell counties.
While that entry may not be in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, that’s how the retired educator will be remembered. She passed away last week, but the impact she left behind will forever live on in the lives of the students she touched during her 36-year career.
She dedicated 36 years to education, first as a teacher in Allendale and Williston and later as a school administrator in Barnwell.
I was one of the countless students she impacted during her career. She was my principal at Barnwell Elementary School in the late 1990s. I also went to church with her at Barnwell First Baptist.
One thing I remember about Mrs. Mansfield is that she loved all her students. Sometimes this involved a tough love, but you always knew she cared, even when she had to be strict.
My classmate Tiffany Holloway said Mrs. Mansfield “enforced good manners and the best behavior.”
Another classmate, Courtney Buckmon, remembers “how well put together and graceful she was.”
Corrie Herron Duffie said Mrs. Mansfield was one of her favorite teachers and “was always supportive of her students.” Mrs. Mansfield is also one of the reasons Duffie decided to become a teacher.
My former pastor, Rev. Billy Vaughn, summed it up best: “She loved the children and was fair to them, but at the same time she expected the best from them. She also inspired the teachers to give of their best.” His wife Brenda taught at BES when Mrs. Mansfield was principal. They also became friends.
Mrs. Mansfield possessed two qualities of a strong leader. For her students, she maintained high expectations of learning and manners, but made sure the students felt loved. To her staff, she was a respected boss who motivated her team in a family atmosphere while ensuring the school operations ran effectively and efficiently.
I also remember how classy, professional and well-dressed she was. This was a sentiment many other former students shared as well.
In addition to being a dedicated educator and caring colleague, Mrs. Mansfield was a loving wife and mother. She loved her family.
However, her most important role was being a Christian and faithful servant of God. Her love for God shined through in everything she did, including her job.
One of my favorite quotes about teachers is: “To teach is to touch a life forever.” Mrs. Mansfield certainly lived that out in her 36 years in education.
Mrs. Mansfield was a true example of what all educators should strive to be.
