News Summary
Kathryn Benjamin concludes a distinguished 30-year career in education with Greenwood County School District 50, celebrating her time at Greenwood High School where she started her journey. Her dedication to teaching and leadership impacted many, and as she retires, she reflects on the importance of fostering critical thinking in students. Benjamin plans to enjoy her retirement by traveling and spending time with family, leaving a legacy at Greenwood High that emphasizes student safety and community.
Greenwood, SC – Kathryn Benjamin Retires After 30 Years of Dedicated Service in Greenwood County School District 50
Kathryn Benjamin is officially retiring after a remarkable 30-year career in education with Greenwood County School District 50. Her tenure, which began at Greenwood High School in 1992, wraps up as a full-circle moment for the educator, returning to the school where her journey in teaching began.
Throughout her career, Benjamin has regarded Greenwood High not merely as a workplace, but as a second home. Her path to education was influenced by a meaningful conversation with her mother about job opportunities for history graduates, leading her to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Erskine College in 1991. She furthered her studies with a Master of Education from Southern Wesleyan University and obtained a K-12 Administrative Certification from Western Governors University.
During her time at Erskine College, Benjamin was an active student-athlete, participating in soccer and tennis. Her passion for sports extended into her professional life, where she founded the girls’ soccer team and coached tennis and track and field at Greenwood High. She began her career as a long-term substitute teacher, which soon blossomed into a deep love for teaching and engaging with students.
Benjamin underscored the importance of teaching beyond rote memorization, believing that cultivating critical thinking and communication skills is crucial for her students. In 2005, she took a brief leave to care for her second child but returned to lead classes at Westview Middle School. By 2014, she transitioned to the role of social studies instructional coach, marking the beginning of her interest in school leadership.
In 2017, Benjamin became the assistant principal at Brewer Middle School, later progressing to the role of principal. After 22 years in the classroom, she felt a calling to impact students and teachers on a broader scale and returned to Greenwood High as principal in 2020. Since then, she has expressed her deep appreciation for starting and finishing her career at the same institution.
During her tenure, she has maintained that the unique culture and community within Greenwood High significantly contribute to its exceptional environment. Despite common stereotypes, she believes that high school students are navigating their own experiences just like adults. Facing retirement, Benjamin is reflective, expressing a desire to leave her position while she still feels capable of delivering her best and fostering new leadership to benefit the school.
As she steps back, Benjamin is confident in the interim principal, Jim Still, who previously served as the director of the G. Frank Russell Technology Center. Looking ahead, she plans to spend her retirement traveling, working on her home, and cherishing more time with family and friends. She hopes that her leadership has made a lasting impact at Greenwood High, emphasizing the importance of student safety as a priority for any administrator.
As Kathryn Benjamin concludes her career, she leaves behind a heartfelt message for her students: to always strive for greatness and to embrace their identity as Greenwood Eagles. Her commitment to education and the Greenwood community will undoubtedly be remembered by many.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Announces Retirement
- Wikipedia: Greenwood County, South Carolina
- Fox Carolina: Greenwood District 50 Announces Superintendent’s Retirement
- Google Search: Greenwood School District 50
- Index Journal: Johnson to Retire, District 50 Superintendent to Leave After School Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retirement
- Legacy: Cynthia Hitt Obituary
Author: HERE Greenwood
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