School's Out for Two Noted Educators

After long and successful careers as both teachers and administrators, two of Lexington One's most beloved school principals say they plan to step down at the end of this school year.

Lexington Middle School Principal Laura S. Shumpert McMahan and Pelion High School Principal Jean Nichols Haggard have announced they will retire, effective June 30, 2012.

District Superintendent Karen Woodward said, "Laura McMahan and Jean Haggard have devoted themselves to serving students through careers in public education. They are both dedicated, caring educators who are committed to their students and staff."

But after long and successful careers, the two women told Patch its simply time to make way for a new generation.

"I think it's a good time to have new leadership at the school," said McMahan, noting that LMS's population will be dividing into Meadow Glen Middle School when that new facility opens next year. "With the number of years [I've served], and the changes coming up, and new technology … I believe it's just a good time to pass that leadership on."

As for Haggard? "With the number of years I've been in education, I think it's time for some others to take over," she echoed.

Haggard, a Pelion native whose mother and father were both principals at the school, added: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my years there. So many good things have happened…. It warms my heart every time I look at what we have accomplished and the changes we have made."

Despite the fact that Pelion High has grown over the years and is part of one of the largest, fastest growing and most academically successful school districts in South Carolina, the school is still rural in nature, Haggard said. Regardless, she said she is heartened by the fact that she has seen her students evolve into ones who feel they have endless opportunities for their futures.

"It seems like every year they just get more excited about the future and they really begin to look at it and plan what they want to do," she said.

"It's with sadness that I leave here," she added. "I'm sure there will be tears."

McMahan said she has enjoyed seeing improvements at LMS over the years, "especially the arts program, with the building of a theater. … Before that they performed in a gym, which was not the best of settings.

"And I've just enjoyed seeing the campus itself grow," McMahan added. "I actually started teaching when that was the home of Lexington High, and my dad was on the Board of Trustees when that school was built, so there is a lot of tradition there. I've enjoyed seeing families go through there. And I have enjoyed seeing the changes in the focus of education, with the focus now being on teaching them 21st century skills through technology. Its been exciting. Every day [presents] so many new and different things, and new ways of learning."

McMahan, Lexington Middle principal for seven years, has more than 45 years of experience as an educator.

She began her career as a social studies teacher at Paul Knox Junior High in North Augusta. From there she moved to Hartsville Junior High and then to Lamar High School before joining Lexington High School in 1969.

McMahan served as social studies department head, was LHS teacher of the year, district teacher of the year, coordinator of the LHS teacher cadet program and administrative assistant before being promoted to assistant principal for instruction at Lexington Middle School in 1996 and then to principal in 2004.

She’s been honored by the S.C. Art Education Association as its Outstanding Middle School Principal and just received the 2011 S.C. Music Educators Association’s Honor Administrator of the Year Award.

Haggard, Pelion High principal for 20 years, has more than 47 years of educational experience — with 46 of those years spent in Lexington District One.

She began her education career as a biology and chemistry teacher at Hartsville High School in 1964 and moved to Lexington High School in 1966. While at Lexington High, Haggard served as teacher, counselor and assistant principal before joining Pelion High as principal.

Newberry College presented Haggard with an Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy in 2007. She’s received the Office Professionals Administrator of the Year Award and an Honorary FFA Chapter Degree; served on the Executive Committee and two terms as president of the 2A Athletic Conference for the S.C. High School League; and, been a finalist for South Carolina’s MetLife/NASSP Secondary Principal of the Year Award.

Now, with their noteworthy careers coming to a close, it's somehow fitting that both women are ending their careers at the same time. The two women are not only professional colleagues, but lifelong friends.

"We lived across the street from each other growing up" [in Pelion], said McMahan. "We'll probably plan some trips together."

"We have been friends basically all of our lives," said Haggard. "Now, it's like we're going out together."