At the Feb. 20, 2024 board meeting, the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Francina Gerald as principal of Pelion Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024. Gerald currently serves as principal of Sand Hill Elementary School in Dorchester School District Two.
An experienced educator of almost 30 years, Gerald is a veteran school administrator, serving for five years at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary School in Orangeburg School District Four before she joined Sand Hill Elementary School in Dorchester School District Two, where she has served for five years.
Gerald says, “A significant part of my principal job has been recognizing leadership skills in others to assist in building strong professional learning communities that positively impact student achievement.”
Her 15 years as a school administrator also includes time working as an administrative assistant and five years as an assistant principal. Gerald believes her 11 years of teaching at the middle and elementary school levels helped to mold her into a skilled and knowledgeable educator. She also spent time as the Priority Schools Program Manager in the Office of School Transformation at the South Carolina Department of Education.
Gerald earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Master of Education in special education from Clemson University and completed the Educational Leadership Program at the University of South Carolina. She holds elementary principal, elementary supervisor, special education (emotional disabilities), middle level language arts and elementary education certifications, as well as gifted and talented and Read 2 Succeed endorsements. Gerald is also an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Master Trainer.
Her professional affiliations include memberships in the Association for Supervision, Curriculum, and Development, South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators, South Carolina Association of School Administrators, the South Carolina Education Association and National Education Association.
The Poetry Ball
Wintah Storm will present The Poetry Ball on Friday, April 19, 2024. The event will take place from 7 p.m. – midnight at Venue 817, located at 817 St. Andrews Road in Columbia.
Dress to impress and celebrate poetry month with an open mic, vendors, food truck and cash bar.
The event is open to people 21 and up. Tickets are $ 20 for singles and $30 for couples. Tickets are available on EventBrite or Cashapp $KLJOYNER.
Voorhees to host professional development conference for educators
The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation at Voorhees University (EPI Center) is hosting a Spring Professional Development Conference for educators. The conference is on Wednesday, May 29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Conference Center, 2100 Bush River Road, Columbia.
The conference theme is Evidence of Excellence in K-12: Educators Leading the Way. Fairfield County School District Superintendent Dr. J.R. Greene and Georgetown County School District Superintendent Keith Price are featured panelists. They will join other invited superintendents in a discussion about leadership, district collaborations, and supporting educators, students, and employees. Also in attendance will be Dr. Thomas Maridada, II, President of the Center for Strategic Leadership and Organizational Coherence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Current and aspiring educators, administrators, and academic leaders get ready for a day of professional learning experiences designed to highlight best practices in teaching, learning, and educational engagement throughout K-12 classrooms and school environments. Registration is free for selected educators. Register now at epipathways.org.
The EPI Center is a national 501-c-3 organization leading innovation in teacher effectiveness. Innovation opportunities are offered to currently certified teachers and those seeking to become certified. The EPI Center is committed to providing individualized, competency-based instruction, support services, stipends, and virtual coaching to help eligible educators achieve their professional career goals, debt-free.
Dr. Germon “Mama G” Miller announces candidacy for SC State House District 70
Dr. Germon “Mama G” Miller, an international Martial Arts Grandmaster, domestic violence survivor, and youth advocate, declared her candidacy for the South Carolina State House District 70. The historic announcement occurred in the South Carolina Statehouse lobby, setting the stage for a groundbreaking campaign.
As the first woman promoted to the esteemed rank of international Martial Arts Grandmaster, Mama G brings
a legacy of resilience and empowerment to her candidacy. Surviving a harrowing domestic violence murder attempt fueled her determination to not only be a thriving example of courage but to serve her community to save the lives of young people and women alike. Her commitment to empowerment led her to establish RICH Legacy. This transformative youth advocacy program has positively saved the lives of over 300 at-risk youths from gun and gang violence in Columbia, SC.
District 70, encompassing Lower Richland and parts of Kershaw County, including the cities of Lugoff and Camden, holds a rich political history, previously represented by esteemed leaders like Representative Joe Neal, Representative Wendy Brawley, and Representative Jermaine Johnson. Mama G’s candidacy promises a new chapter of representation anchored in trust, advocacy, and resilience.
“I am honored to step forward as a candidate for the people of District 70,” Mama G remarked. “My life’s journey has taught me the importance of perseverance, compassion, and service. As your representative, I pledge to fight tirelessly for the rights and well-being of every constituent.”
With a platform centered on breaking the Republican supermajority and continuing Rep. Jermaine Johnson’s initiatives to invest in rural infrastructure and quality of life needs for seniors in the district, Mama G embodies the leadership voters can trust to champion their concerns in the State House. Her grassroots campaign will focus on amplifying the voices of the marginalized, fostering inclusive policies, and driving positive change for all.
