and have a career. We don’t consider that to be a viable plan anymore,” she said. To make certain every student is
ready for what waits beyond Wando, the school offers approximately 250 courses, many of them challenging, rigorous and unavailable in smaller high schools. Wando students have the option of taking eight differ- ent engineering courses, more than in any other school in Charleston County or in the rest of South Carolina, according to Beckham. “We still have a very strong college
prep program, and the arts oppor- tunities here are as good as at any arts conservatory in a high school,” Beckham commented. “Students here excel in multiple areas.” Beckham’s success in her chosen field is no surprise; she hails from a family of educators. Both her grand- mothers, her mother and aunts and uncles were teachers, and her sister is
a special education instructor in Co- lumbia. Te tradition continues with her son, son-in-law, daughter and daughter-in-law, all of them teachers. Beckham, who was a teacher, assis- tant principal and principal in Berke- ley County before moving to Wando, has turned down opportunities for promotions that would bring her more money – and less satisfaction. “I truly love this job. I have no plans to leave,” she said. “Tis is a high-energy place full of great kids. I feel like we’re making a difference. It’s very rewarding work.”
Benjamin
Bragg was a finalist in the state’s Middle School Princi- pal of the Year competition.
Best in the Middle
CARIO MIDDLE SCHOOL
students bridge the gap between elementary school and high school. His goal is to make sure each one of them gains the knowledge, confi- dence and experience to excel in the ninth grade and beyond. “We believe every kid can be suc- cessful,” said Bragg, who took the principal’s job at Cario in August 2010, after five years in the same po- sition at St. Andrew’s Middle School in West Ashley. “Middle school is the
T
HOMAS C. CARIO Middle School Prin- cipal Benjamin Bragg isn’t interested in helping some of his
“As a teacher, I learned to listen. As a Realtor, listening to my clients comes naturally.”
PEGGY LEETE
843.532.7923
PLeete@carolinaone.com
www.PeggyLeeteHomes.com 44
www.MountPleasantMagazine.com |
www.iLoveMountPleasant.com |
www.MountPleasantNeighborhoods.com
photo by Brian Sherman
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