The Edgefield County School District (ECSD) recently recognized the dedication and service of its school resource officers, bus staff and educators who play essential roles in ensuring student safety and success.
On Feb. 15, ECSD honored its School Resource Officers (SROs) as part of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, an initiative established by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) in 2022.
These officers, from the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office and Edgefield Police Department, serve as mentors, educators and law enforcement officials within the district.
“School resource officers provide a tremendous service to our school district and community,” stated ECSD Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman. “We could not perform our jobs with the same confidence if they were not a part of our ECSD family.”
The district recognized SROs including Warren Miller (Johnston Elementary School), Colin Bailey (Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School), Mike Cockrell (W.E. Parker Elementary School), Taylor Mode (Strom Thurmond High School), Silvia Guzman (Douglas Elementary School), Sydney DeNett (Merriwether Elementary School), Thomas McKinney (Merriwether Middle School), and Tracy Wood (Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center).
NASRO has emphasized the importance of SROs in bridging gaps between youth and law enforcement, as well as fostering safe learning environments.
“School resource officers are valuable and essential members of the education community and deserve unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe,” according to a press release from ECSD.
In addition to recognizing SROs, ECSD highlighted the efforts of bus driver Linda Calliham and aide Cindy Dumais, who have worked together for nearly six years transporting special needs students.
“We’re very different, but we mesh together so well,” Dumais said. “We’ve been through deaths, weddings and divorces and all kinds of things together. She has my back, and I’ve got her back. We make the dream team.”
Calliham, a lifelong Edgefield County resident, and Dumais, a New York native, stress the importance of teamwork and communication in ensuring a safe and supportive transportation experience for their students. Their work aligns with February’s designation as “Love the Bus” Month by the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) and “School Bus Driver Appreciation Week” by the South Carolina Department of Pupil Transportation.
The district also recognized Strom Thurmond High School mathematics teacher and Freshman Academy Lead Teacher Janelle Clark-Stevens, who has been named a 2025 Masters Tournament “Hometown Hero.” This recognition, awarded by the Augusta National Golf Club, highlights local professionals in education, healthcare, and public service.
“I believe deeply in the potential of every student,” Clark-Stevens wrote in her Teacher of the Year application. “My foundational belief is that all students can learn and will learn when given the right environment, support, and encouragement,” according to an ECSD press release.
With nine years of teaching experience, Clark-Stevens considers her greatest accomplishments to be the relationships she has built with students.
“In teaching, the most meaningful successes aren’t always measurable by test scores or academic accolades,” she said. “They are found in the relationships built, the confidence instilled, and the lifelong love of learning that we, as educators, can spark in our students.”
As a Hometown Hero, Clark-Stevens will be honored at a special reception and attend the 2025 Masters Tournament in April.
The Edgefield County School District continues to acknowledge and celebrate the individuals who contribute to student success, ensuring a safe and enriching educational experience, according to a press release from ECSD.
