Jan Powers-Penuel has been named the principal at South Elementary School.
She will assume her new position on July 1st.
Powers-Penuel earned an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Florence-Darlington Technical College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Coker College, a Master’s Degree from Walden University in Reading/Literacy, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership/ Administration from Cambridge College.
She is in her 20th year of education. She worked for 16 years in Dillon District Three and served as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Latta Elementary School. She has been working at Dillon District Four for four years as a teacher at Lake View Elementary School. She has been recognized as Teacher of the Year in both districts.
“I knew I always wanted to be a teacher from an early age and would practice the same after every elementary school day with stuffed animals and my baby brother,” Powers-Penuel said.
“Numerous teachers had such a positive impact on me. I felt safe at school and knew that my teachers cared about me and wanted me to do my very best. Because others cared deeply for me and had my best interest at heart, I knew I wanted to do the same for others.”
Powers-Penuel will bring her passion for education to South Elementary.
“I have always loved teaching, impacting students’ lives, working in the community, and learning,” she said. “Early in my career, I was able to work on many teams, and I learned a great deal from seasoned teachers and administrators. When I was afforded opportunities to serve as a team leader, I quickly discovered an additional passion. I began learning the importance of looking at the big picture in lieu of only seeing what is directly in front of me. In addition to impacting students’ lives, I realized I was able to impact my peers as well. I became more interested in system building and knew the next step would be administration.”
Powers-Penuel is excited about coming to South Elementary.
“I look forward to working with students, parents, community members, teachers, and school staff to create a positive learning environment. My goal is to encourage and empower teachers which will, in turn, encourage and empower our students to become lifelong, passionate learners,” she said.
“I am very thankful for the experience I received as a student, teacher, and administrator during my time in the Latta School District. As mentioned earlier, it was there I was encouraged and empowered to become a lifelong, passionate learner. I am thankful for the professional relationships and friendships that were established there and continue today. Moreover, I am forever thankful for the many life lessons I learned from my time in Dillon Three,” Powers-Penuel said.
“Presently, I am most thankful for Dillon District Four welcoming me from a neighboring district and entrusting me with numerous opportunities to continue to nurture and cultivate my administrative skills and for thoughtfully considering my desire to return to the same,” she said.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude that Superintendent Ray Rogers, Dr. Polly Elkins, and the Dillon District Four School Board are willing to allow me to fulfill a lifelong career dream of mine and are ready and willing to continue to support and nurture my further growth,” she said.
“I am deeply appreciative for all the outstanding folks with whom I have shared experiences with at Lake View Elementary School and for the professional and personal relationships built during my time serving with them,” Powers-Penuel stated. “I am very grateful to my Principal, Mrs. Kim Walsh, for permitting me to continue to be a leader and for exhibiting the qualities in leadership I needed in my growth.”
Powers-Penuel said, “I am very thankful for the hard work and dedication I have seen over the years of people who are in the education profession because they genuinely love children and understand that what we do is of the utmost importance to everyone’s future and our world.”
“I am also very thankful for my faith, my husband, my children and nephew, my parents, my family, for my great friends, and for my community,” she said.
Powers-Penuel is the daughter of Billy and Janice Powers of Latta. She is married to Scott Penuel, who is a Job Superintendent with United Developers. They are very active in their children’s and nephew’s lives: Nathanael Penuel, Jackson Powers, Alex Strickland, Jaden Penuel, and Slaydon Strickland. They attend Sardis Baptist Church where they work with the youth and assist with music.