March kicked off with a lively celebration of Read Across America Week! Guest readers sparked a love for literacy, while schools engaged in a variety of activities to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday and nurture a lifelong passion for reading.

The Marion County School District has proudly selected and announced its 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year! The educators listed below have demonstrated exceptional dedication, hard work, and commitment to their students and schools. As we continue through the district’s Teacher of the Year process, we look forward to celebrating their achievements and announcing our District Teacher of the Year in May.

Throughout March, our schools embraced an exciting 30-day reading challenge, sparking a love for books and friendly competition. A huge thank you to all the dedicated readers who participated—you are making a difference!

The winning school will be revealed in the next issue of The Pulse, along with special highlights and photos from the challenge. Stay tuned!

MCSD's Parenting and Community Engagement Department encourages parents and community members to keep the momentum going by sharing the joy of reading with students. Together, we can inspire young minds and create a lifelong love for learning!

The Marion County Board of Education proudly recognized outstanding students, staff, and trustees during its March 2025 meeting.

Student Achievements

4-H STEM Challenge – Congratulations to the talented students in grades 5–9 from Creek Bridge STEM Academy and Mullins High School who showcased their skills at the 4-H STEM Challenge in Columbia!

Region 7AA Basketball Standouts – A round of applause for Mullins High School’s exceptional athletes:

• NaRiya Woodberry – All Region

• Dakarai Worley – All State

• Deyon Ford – All Region

• Ernest Ford – All Region

Teacher & Staff Recognitions

Arts Education Grants – Kudos to our incredible visual and performing arts teachers who received grants to support their classrooms. Your dedication to fostering creativity is truly appreciated!

MCSD Proud Award – Congratulations to Karen Binns, our March recipient! As an outstanding instructional coach, she consistently goes above and beyond for her teachers. Keep up the fantastic work!

Board of Education Recognitions

Celebrating Our Trustees – We honor the dedication and commitment of our Board of Education members:

• 15 Years of Service – Rev. Cynthia Brown (not pictured)

• 10 Years of Service – Ogleretta White

• Completion of New Board Orientation Courses – Derrick Weeks

A heartfelt thank you to all our students, educators, and trustees for your hard work and contributions to the Marion County School District!

A heartfelt thank you to the Marion Chamber of Commerce for their generous donation, providing every third-grade student in MCSD with a copy of Palmetto: Symbol of Courage by Kate Salley Palmer! Their support makes a lasting impact, inspiring a love for reading and learning among our students. We deeply appreciate the Chamber's dedication to education and our community!

Dr. Bethea had a great time at McCormick Elementary, joining students for Taco Talk. During the lunch, she engaged in lively discussions with the students, listening to their thoughts about school while offering helpful tips to prepare for the upcoming state tests. It was a fun and flavorful afternoon—nothing beats good conversation and tacos!

A big shoutout to the students from Marion High School and Mullins High School who achieved perfect scores on the Fall EOC test! We’re thrilled that Marion City Councilman Donny Gerald took the time to recognize their hard work and dedication, presenting them with gift cards as a well-deserved reward for their outstanding achievement.

Engaging with parents is consistently a highlight for our district as we aim to enhance home-school connections. The Parent Chat and Chew event was extremely successful! Dr. Bethea had insightful conversations, collected valuable feedback, and received some excellent ideas that will assist MCSD in its ongoing improvement efforts.

Art in the Park was a great success! We have remarkable talent here in MCSD, showcasing art, music, drama, culinary art, and more!

Primary Grades

1st place: Peyton Davis - 2nd grade - North Mullins Primary

2nd place: Paisley Woodberry - 2nd grade - Easterling Primary

3rd place: Keena Avant - 2nd grade - Easterling Primary

Honorable Mention: Kaylei Ewell - 2nd grade - Easterling Primary

Honorable Mention: Londyn Tucker - 2nd grade - Easterling Primary

Elementary Grades

1st place: Mia Godfrey - 3rd grade - McCormick Elementary

2nd place: Collins Smith - 4th grade - McCormick Elementary

3rd place: Mia Godfrey - 3rd grade - McCormick Elementary

Honorable Mention: Collins Smith - 4th grade - McCormick Elementary

Honorable Mention: Mia Godfrey - 3rd grade - McCormick Elementary

Middle School

1st place: Marlee Roberts - 7th grade - Palmetto Middle

2nd place: Macie Chandler - 8th grade- Creek Bridge STEM Academy

3rd place: Ashley Grant - 8th grade - Palmetto Middle

Honorable Mention: Avionna Oliver - 8th grade - Creek Bridge STEM Academy

Honorable Mention: Macie Chandler - 8th grade- Creek Bridge STEM Academy

Battle of the Bands: Creek Bridge STEM Academy

High School

1st place: Emily Wilson - 12th grade - Marion High

2nd place: Dwayne Wilson - 12th grade - Marion High

3rd place: Zhe'Nique Thompson - 12th grade - Marion High

Honorable Mention: Ambriyana Grant - 12th grade - Marion High

Honorable Mention: Dwayne Wilson - 12th grade - Marion High

BEST IN SHOW

Emily Wilson - 12th grade - Marion High

The Marion County GUIDE Program is revolutionizing how we support and motivate students. Spanning eight weeks, this pilot initiative pairs middle school students with retired and former educators, offering tailored academic assistance, career exploration, and meaningful mentorship. By nurturing strong connections and encouraging students to envision new possibilities, GUIDE raises educational standards within our community. Dr. Kandace Bethea states, "The GUIDE Program holds the potential to profoundly impact students' lives in Marion County and reshape the future of education in South Carolina. By linking young individuals with seasoned mentors, we are not just supporting students but also shaping their futures."

Reverend Curtis Campbell recently hosted Dr. Kandace Bethea, Ms. Melonie Gordon, and Mrs. Tasha Legette on his show "Just So You Know!" This enlightening conversation covers important district updates, including:

- Upcoming dates

- New programs and initiatives

- Testing tips and schedules

- Registration information

Stay informed and prepare for what’s ahead! Tune in to WJAY to listen to the full discussion.

Registration is OPEN for all students in grades 4K through 12!

Returning parents – Log in using your information from last year or check your email from Final Forms to begin. Don’t wait—secure your child’s spot today!

To register, visit www.marion.k12.sc.us or go directly to Final Forms at https://marion-sc.finalforms.com/