CSES Principal Administrator of the Year

Dr. W. Darrell Barringer, principal, received the Joseph M. Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award on May 15, at the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees meeting.

The award, given annually by the Lexington One Educational Foundation, honors an administrator who exhibits outstanding leadership skills and compassion toward students, works well with staff, students and parents, and who considers the educational development of students a primary goal.

Barringer consistently recognizes the needs of students and staff members, while creating an optimum learning environment that supports 21st century learning.

A CSES teacher described Barringer as a leader who “knows how to motivate us and build a sense of family in the school setting. He makes us believe in ourselves and makes us strive to be the best we can be.”

During Barringer’s 34-year career, he served as an elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal. He was promoted to assistant principal at Pelion Elementary in 1983 and to principal at PES in 1984. In 1989, he opened White Knoll Elementary and served there until 2005. Before he opened Carolina Springs Elementary as principal in 2006, he served as interim principal of Lexington Intermediate.

Barringer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical education from Columbia International University, a Master of Education in elementary education, an Educational Specialist Degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy in elementary education from the University of South Carolina. He has elementary education, elementary supervisor, elementary school administration, psychology and superintendent certifications.

The Joseph M. Bedenbaugh Award was named for a Lexington One administrator who retired in 1982 after 36 years of service and is the last surviving building administrator from the original staff when Lexington One was consolidated in 1952.

--Submitted by Lexington 1 School District.