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Gerard Edwards is Hemingway High's new interim principal

Florence Morning News - 1/17/2018

HEMINGWAY, S.C. ? Gerard Spencer Edwards is the new interim principal at Hemingway High School. He steps in following the death of former principal Woody Curtis.

Town officials and residents of surrounding communities joined parents, faculty and staff of Hemingway High School on Nov. 30 as Edwards assumed his duties in that position for his first day at the school.

Before accepting the coordinator of testing and assessment position at the Williamsburg County School District, Edwards was the head of Spartanburg Preparatory School (SPS). The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grades and has an annual enrollment of more than 450 students.

Previously Edwards served as the principal at Alford Rush Academy in Florence County School District One. He was instrumental in revising the mission, vision and improvement of Alford Rush Academy. He orchestrated the revamping of school policies and student expectations. His efforts reduced the recidivism, a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior that plagued those students assigned to Florence County School District One alternative schools.

Passionate about kids and education, Edwards brings to his work a unique combination of education and experience. He began his career at Fairforest Middle School in Spartanburg District Six, where he taught seventh-grade mathematics. He has taught high school mathematics and coached a variety of sports on the middle and high school levels.

In 1999, Edwards became the assistant principal at Darlington High School. In 2001, he was named principal of Johnson Middle School in Florence County School District Four. Edwards became principal of Wilson High School in the summer of 2005. During his seven-year tenure at Wilson High School, he implemented several successful initiatives that led to increasing student achievement and school success.

Among his accomplishments, Edwards was awarded the prestigious Inez M. Tenenbaum Award for his outstanding contributions to the professional learning community 2004. In 2007, he was named a charter member of the SCDE Education Leaders Fellow Program, which is a 10-month intensive professional development program for established and emerging leaders in education and related fields.

Edwards received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Wofford College in 1994. He earned his master's degree in education, administration and supervision from Winthrop University in 1999 and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2005.

Working on the computer at home and at the office is one thing Edwards said he enjoys. He is intrigued by internet technology. He said he loves athletics and relaxes after a busy day watching TV.

Edwards lives in Florence and has no plans to relocate. He changes his route from his home to school routinely because he loves studying the layout of the land and the changes of the foliage as the seasons dictate the differences in color. He said he finds the drive relaxing.

Above all, Edwards said he loves children and teachers. His loyalty to his students and teachers guides every decision that he makes as an administrator.

Edwards is married to Zenobia Edwards. They have one son, who attends Clemson University.