Florence School District 3 announced its 2026-2027 employees of the year, including Teacher of the Year, during the district’s annual Opening Ceremony Monday, July 20, to kick off the new school year.
Shannon Franklin, a literacy coach at Main Street Elementary School, will represent FSD3 in the South Carolina Teacher of the Year competition. Crystal Godfrey, a teacher at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, was first runner-up and Rachel Steele, a teacher at J. C. Lynch Elementary School, was second runner-up.
Ms. Franklin is a 1994 graduate of Kingstree Senior High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Claflin University in 1999 and later completed a Master of Arts degree from Grand Canyon University. She also holds Literacy Teacher and Literacy Coach endorsements.
Ms. Franklin began her career in education at Waccamaw EOC Lane Head Start before serving as a behavior therapist in Williamsburg County School District. After earning her teaching certification, she taught third grade in Clarendon County School District One before joining FSD3 as a second-grade teacher at Lake City Early Childhood Center. She later served as both a math interventionist and reading interventionist, experiences that inspired her to pursue instructional leadership. In 2024, she became the Instructional Coach at Main Street Elementary School, where she works alongside teachers to strengthen instruction and improve student achievement.
Ms. Franklin says her favorite part of working in FSD3 is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both students and teachers every day. She values being part of a district that emphasizes growth, collaboration and leadership, allowing her to fulfill her passion for supporting instruction that leads to student success.
Seneca Barron, a classified assistant administrator and behavior interventionist at Lake City High School, was named Support Staff of the Year. Jessica Beard, an instructional assistant at Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy, was first runner-up and Latosha Bacote, an instructional Assistant at Lake City Early Childhood Center was second runner-up.
A lifelong resident of Lake City, Barron is a 1997 graduate of Lake City High School. Since joining FSD3 in 2023, he has also served as head coach of the Lake City High School varsity boys’ basketball team.
Mr. Barron has dedicated more than 25 years to coaching and mentoring young people. Throughout his coaching career, he has led student-athletes in football, baseball, track and field, and basketball, using athletics as a platform to teach leadership, discipline, teamwork and perseverance. His commitment to helping students succeed extends beyond the playing field and into the school day through his work supporting students and fostering a positive school environment.
Outside of school, Barron is an active member of Mt. Clair Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher for the youth department. He and his wife, Candice, who has been his sweetheart since eighth grade, are the proud parents of two sons, Treyvone and Jaylon.
Angelia Scott, Human Resources Director, was named District-Level Administrator of the Year. Mary Howard, chief academic officer, was first runner-up and Ned Blake, director of secondary education, was second runner-up
Charm Eaddy, principal of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School, was named FSD3 Principal of the Year, while Steven Barr, former principal of Lake City Early Childhood Center, was first runner-up and Melanie Dukes McKnight, former principal of Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School who is now principal at Lake City Early Childhood Center, was second runner-up
Carolina Doughty, assistant principal at Lake City Early Childhood Center, was selected Assistant Principal of the Year. Ashley Dress, assistant principal at Lake City High School, was first runner-up and Jacob Gilliard, former assistant principal and now principal at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, was second runner-up.
Other employees of the year were:
- BusDriveroftheYear–Carolyn Graham
- ClericalStaffofthe Year–Tracy Hannah(Lake City High and Olanta Magnet)
- Custodian/MaintenanceoftheYear –Jamie Burgess (Dr. Ronald E. McNair Jr. High)
- FoodServiceStaffoftheYear – Penny Fleming (Dr. Ronald E. McNair Jr. High)
- HealthServicesStaffoftheYear –Eliza Miles(J. Paul Truluck Magnet)
- Instructional Support StaffoftheYear–Loyce Brownlee (J. Paul Truluck Magnet)
- StudentSupportStaffoftheYear –Christy Flowers(District Office)
- Rookie Support Staff of the Year – Keenan Graham (Lake City Early Childhood Center)
- Rookie Teacher of the Year – Cathryn Ackerman (Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy)
- International Teacher of the Year – Kereka Williams (Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy)
