Four education leaders selected for Lifetime Achievement Award

Four school leaders from across the state have been selected by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) as 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winners. This year, Mr. Timothy Hopkins, Deputy Superintendent for Kershaw County Schools; Dr. David O’Shields, Superintendent of Laurens District 56; Dr. Kappy Steck, former Principal of Forest Lake Elementary in Richland School District Two; and the Honorable Molly Spearman, South Carolina Superintendent of Education, were all selected to receive this award for their contributions to education in South Carolina.

Each year SCASA selects exemplars of educational leadership to receive the SCASA Lifetime Achievement Award. These leaders have dedicated their lives to educating South Carolina’s children, serving their communities, and providing an example for those who aspire to lead.

Mr. Timothy Hopkins began his career as an admissions counselor in higher education 38 years ago. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree, he worked for Winthrop College recruiting new students throughout the southeastern United States. Mr. Hopkins later transitioned to the public education system as a guidance counselor, assistant administrator, assistant principal, and principal before serving as a district administrator in the Kershaw County School District—providing instrumental support as federal programs director, executive director of instruction, and his current role of deputy superintendent. During his time in the district, he made many positive impacts which include expanding the district’s early childhood development programs by increasing the number of three- and four-year-old classrooms, expanding and providing services to English Language Learners, and implementing and supervising the district’s school choice program. Under his supervision, three middle schools were named “Schools to Watch,” and three district schools were named Palmetto’s Finest schools. He has been an active member of SCASA for many years and participates in the Grant and Federal Programs, Personnel, and Instructional Leaders’ Roundtables. Mr. Hopkins has also returned to where he began his educational career as a member of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees.

Dr. Kappy Steck dedicated her entire career to supporting and improving the educational environment in Richland School District Two—where she served as a classroom teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and later principal. The majority of her career, 28 years, was spent at Forest Lake Elementary School. During her tenure as an administrator, she was extremely involved in all areas of the Forest Lake community, Richland District Two, and SCASA. Through her tireless work as an administrator, Dr. Kappy Steck was named the South Carolina Elementary Principal of the Year by SCASA, a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, a South Carolina Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year, a Magnet Schools of America Region IV Principal of the Year, a National Association of Office Professionals Administrator of the Year, and a South Carolina Association of School Librarians Principal of the Year. There are many commendable factors in Forest Lake Elementary’s long-term success, but the common denominator is Dr. Kappy Steck. During her tenure at Forest Lake Elementary, Dr. Steck established an extraordinary culture where students and families from different backgrounds were embraced and challenged academically, and where teachers and staff members were supported with innumerable opportunities to build capacity.

Dr. David O’Shields has spent 40 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, district administrator, and superintendent. For the last 38 years, Dr. O’Shields served the district in which he was raised and graduated high school, Laurens School District 56. While serving as assistant principal, principal, and director of student accountability, he earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a PhD in Educational Leadership. He went on to be named the first director of human resources for the district and subsequently interim superintendent and superintendent. He has been an active member of SCASA for many years, serving in various groups, including the Personnel and Superintendents’ Affiliates where he currently serves as president-elect. He was recently appointed as the 8th circuit representative on the State Board of Education. Despite the extensive responsibilities of his role as superintendent, Dr. O’Shields has always stayed directly involved with the students of the district. He has actively coached the Science Olympiad and Academic teams, and for the past several years, he has taught AP classes at Clinton High School. He cares greatly for the students of the district, and through his constant involvement, the students know him and know he is an advocate for them.

State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and began her 42-year career as a music teacher in Maryland. Returning to South Carolina four years later, Superintendent Spearman served as a music teacher for an additional 14 years before moving into administration as assistant principal in her home district of Saluda County. Feeling led to serve South Carolina in the General Assembly, Superintendent Spearman was elected in 1993 to serve as State Representative for District 39. In 1999 Superintendent Spearman became a deputy superintendent for the South Carolina Department of Education under Inez Tenenbaum serving as legislative liaison and later chief of staff. In 2004, she was named SCASA Executive Director and served until her election as the State Superintendent of Education in 2014. During her time at SCASA, membership grew by over 50%; she expanded SCASA’s advocacy impact on behalf of public education; and she worked with the Superintendents’ Affiliate to create the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. As superintendent of education, she developed a school safety vision that includes a school resource officer, nurse, and mental health counselor in every school; advocated for monumental raises in starting teacher pay; and over the course of her time in office, secured funding to replace 4,000 of the state’s 5,600 school buses with new, clean, efficient models. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools across the nation to in-person learning. Over the next two years, Superintendent Spearman showed immense leadership and focused decision-making that prioritizes student safety and learning. While her accomplishments in office are many, Superintendent Spearman leaves as her legacy her humble and kind spirit, composure and grace in even the toughest circumstances, and love for teaching and learning that shines brightly anytime she enters a classroom.

“Timothy Hopkins, David O’Shields, and Kappy Steck are dedicated leaders among the state’s education community and are driving forces within their communities,” said Elizabeth “Beth” A. Phibbs, executive director of SCASA. “They exemplify outstanding leadership among educators. We are thrilled to recognize their exceptional service to public education and SCASA.”

“This year we also honor one of South Carolina’s most dedicated leaders,” continued Ms. Phibbs. “Molly Spearman has modeled the type of leader we should all strive to be on a daily basis. It is a pleasure to present this award in honor of her distinguished career.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award selection committee uses the following criteria to choose the award recipients:

• evidence of outstanding leadership as an educational administrator,
• a record of service and leadership as a member of SCASA and its affiliates,
• community service not directly related to the education profession, and
• service to the profession above and beyond normal job responsibilities.

Mr. Hopkins, Dr. O’Shields, Dr. Steck, and Superintendent Spearman were honored on Wednesday, June 22, during a presentation to over 1,700 school leaders as part of the closing ceremony of the 2022 Innovative Ideas Institute, SCASA’s annual conference. Each winner received a commemorative plaque presented by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and a ring presented by Herff Jones.

SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 4,900. From leadership 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.