SC LEADER BUCKS FAILED EDUCRAT SYSTEM TO CREATE SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS

Despite South Carolina’s abysmal public education system, there is still a story that pops up every now again that offers some hope.

On Tuesday, it was news that Wando High School Principal Lucy Beckham had been named the 2010 National High School Principal of the Year. That’s no small feat.

Beckham became a candidate for the national honor after being named the 2009 Secondary Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. She was among three national finalists for the national award that honors secondary school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students and made exemplary contributions to the profession. Sheila Kahrs, principal of Haymon-Morris Middle School in Winder, Ga., was named the national middle school winner.

Beckham will be recognized during an awards banquet next month in Washington, D.C., and she will receive $5,000 for school-based projects or training for staff.

Beckham has been an educator for more than 33 years, an administrator for 15 years and principal of Wando, the state’s largest high school, since 1998. She oversaw the school’s move into its new building in 2004, and she helped create four career-related schools of study and a ninth-grade academy to ensure students have more opportunities for personal connections. Students meet weekly with faculty advisers and, as upperclassmen, with an administrator or counselor who monitors and supports them through graduation.

Under Beckham’s leadership, Wando has been the recipient of numerous statewide and national accolades. The school was named one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, its band was recognized as best in the nation, and both its newspaper and culinary arts programs have garnered national honors. [Charleston Post and Courier

Beckham learned of her award at a surprise ceremony Monday morning. She was told there would be a school assembly to honor the athletic department and held at a meeting beforehand so she would be the last to arrive.

Unfortunately, State Schools Superintendent Jim Rex showed up to crash the event. I cropped him out of the banner picture, though, because he definitely doesn’t belong there.

Anyway, congratulations to Beckham. Hopefully she will serve as an inspiration to the Rex-style educrats in this state who think more money and more government are the key to improving education.

Photo: Photo by Brad Nettles, Charleston Post and Courier