Beaufort County School District Administrator Named Superintendent of the Year
May 27, 2009BEAUFORT, SC – May 27, 2009 – Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Valerie Truesdale has been named Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). Dr. Truesdale will represent South Carolina in the National Superintendent of the Year competition.
Dr. Truesdale has dedicated herself to education for almost 30 years. Most recently, she was the Superintendent of Oconee County from 2003-2007 and Beaufort County since July, 2007. Under her leadership, Beaufort County Schools earned 12 Palmetto Gold and Silver awards in 2008.
Dr. Truesdale, a long time member of SCASA, has served on the Executive Committee of the Superintendents’ Division, President of the Allied Division and Chair of the Instructional Leaders’ Division. She has held membership and offices for many professional organizations; President of the International Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) worldwide, SC-ASCD, SC Charter School Board and Clemson University College of Educations’ External Advisory Board.
Her colleagues cited her vision and passion for education and her dedication to professional development for educators. She is praised by her colleagues for her most recent tenure as Superintendent in Oconee County and now in Beaufort where her exceptional leadership has resulted in strategic improvement and student success.
Molly Spearman, Executive Director of SCASA states, “Dr. Truesdale is a proven leader who has received numerous national honors for her instructional programs and strategic improvements in the districts she has served. We are honored to have her represent our fine cadre of school leaders in the Palmetto State.”
The National Superintendent of the Year program, established in 1988 and co-sponsored by ARAMARK Education, honors school administrators based on the following criteria: leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.
The fifty state Superintendents of the Year, as well as the four national finalists and the National Superintendent of the Year, are recognized at the AASA (American Association of School Administrators) National Conference. Finalists receive cash awards and medallions. The National Superintendent of the Year presents a $10,000 scholarship to a deserving student from his or her high school alma mater. In addition, the National Superintendent of the Year will receive ongoing recognition in the national news media, including the education press, a jacket emblazoned with the National Superintendent of the Year emblem, a gold medallion with the National Superintendent of the Year emblem, a special National Superintendent of the Year plaque and a $2,000 U.S. government savings bond.
SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 2,900. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.