Florence School District 3 kicked off the 2021-2022 school year and welcomed back employees Monday with its annual Opening Ceremony.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Chelonnda Seroyer, a high school English teacher who has presented with Dr. Harry Wong as well as solo both nationally and internationally. She also is a recipient of the Toyota International Techer Award, presented to only 40 teachers from throughput the country. Ms. Seroyer spoke to FSD3 employees about “Creating a Culture of Consistency for Every Classroom.”
As part of the ceremony, the district announced its employees of the year.
Ashley Stark, a teacher at Lake City High School, was named District Teacher of the Year. Stark teaches Health, Freshman Focus, and College Skills 101 teacher for grades 9-12 and has taught at LCHS for 14 years.
Stark said her mother, a 35-year veteran teacher before retiring, inspired her to become an educator. “Growing up, I had no clue what I wanted to do for my future,” she said. “I knew I loved school and I also enjoyed playing a number of sports. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when it hit me, I wanted to be a teacher like my mother.”
Stark said she sets high expectations for herself as well as her students. “Expectations are something I feel are important to set for myself every day when teaching my lessons by being prepared, following class rules/procedures and having a positive mindset,” said Stark. “By modeling this behavior, I not only set the tone for the students but also my colleagues.”
She earned a Bachelor in Science degree in Education from the University of Toledo and a Master’s in Technology in Education from Lesley University and an Education Specialist degree in Leadership from Arkansas State University. She also earned an online teaching endorsement from Clemson University.
Melva Brown, an English teacher for grades 7-12 at Panther Academy, and Gariel Pierce, a fourth grade teacher at Main Street Elementary School, were the other two finalists for Teacher of the Year.
Leon Whack, the lead custodian at Lake City High School, was named the Classified Employee of the Year. He also was named Custodian of the Year. Mr. Whack has worked for FSD3 since 1999 and has been the lead custodian at LCHS since 2003.
The other finalists for Classified Employee of the Year were Ronald McKnight, lead custodian at Main Street Elementary, and Terri Hudson, an academic instructional assistant at J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School.
Dr. Sharon Williams, principal of Main Street Elementary School since 2018, was named Principal of the Year. Others finalists were Terrell Fleming, principal of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School, and Thomas DeVine, principal of J. C. Lynch Elementary School.
Dr. Monique Brown, assistant principal of Main Street Elementary, was selected as the Assistant Principal of Year. Others finalists were Jami Kirby of Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy and Melanie Dukes McKnight of J. Paul Truluck Magnet School.
Antoinette Henneghan was named Bus Driver of the Year. She has served as a bus driver in FSD3 since 2011.
Danielle McGee, a secretary/bookkeeper at J. Paul Truluck Magnet, was named Clerical Staff of the Year. She has worked as school secretary and bookkeeper since 2016.
Sylvia Burgess, a food service provider at Main Street Elementary, was named Food Service Provider of the Year. She has worked in FSD3 since 2000
Terri Hudson, an academic instructional assistant at J. Paul Truluck Magnet School, was selected Classified Instructional Staff of the Year. She began working at FSD3 in 2020.
Jennifer Lyerly, school nurse at Lake City High, since 2013, was named Nurse of the Year.
The district also recognized employees with 25 and 30 years of service in FSD3. Employees recognized for 25 years of service were Sherry Morris, Terese Patterson, Pennie Poston and Frank Singletary Jr. Employees recognized for 30 years of service were Sara Nero and Victoria Sings.
