Laurens County School District 55 Celebrates New National Board Certified Teachers
February 1, 2025Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland recognized two new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) at the January 27, 2025, LCSD 55 School Board Meeting. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the National Board Certification is designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the highest teacher certification that a teacher may obtain. Shaunta Harris and Diana Mani earned the NBCT title in December 2025.
Shaunta Harris holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Erskine College and a Master of Arts in Reading (Emphasis on Elementary Education) from Grand Canyon University. She is also endorsed by the South Carolina Department of Education as a Gifted and Talented Educator and a Read to Succeed Literacy Teacher. Harris has worked both as a paraprofessional and certified educator in LCSD 55. She joined the district in 2013. She is a highly experienced fifth-grade educator with an exceptional ability to establish collaborative learning and professional relationships with students, parents, staff, and all stakeholders. She is a clear communicator who prioritizes students’ success and holistic development. She is an educator who motivates and inspires student achievement.
Diana Mani was born and raised in India. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Master of Science in Physics (Specialization in Electronics), and a Master of Education from the University of Kerala. She has been an educator since 2007. She has taught Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Educational Psychology, and Educational Technology. She is also experienced in teaching middle school math and science. Her expertise includes hands-on teaching and engaging students in projects and lab activities. She has proven skills in curriculum development, classroom management, and student management. She joined Laurens District 55 High School in 2017. This academic year, she became a Master Teacher under the Laurens Educators Achieving Results to Net Success (LEARNS) Grant, a partnership between LCSD 55 and the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), to grow teachers so they may grow students.
The road to National Board Certification is challenging. Completing the NBCT portfolio requirement is a lot of hard work and involves a lot of data collection. However, it is a process that leads teachers to become more reflective, look deeply at the needs of students, and create a more inclusive and student-centered classroom.
“I can refine my teaching practices according to the needs of my students, which will foster critical thinking and lead to a deeper understanding that will increase their achievement. This will impact the district by having more highly qualified, National Board Certified teachers who can continually, reflect, refine, and improve their teaching practices to meet the needs of each student, and help them reach their full academic potential,” said Harris.
Mani shared, “I can lead my students to self-evaluate, assess the depth of their learning, and become owners of their learning outcomes. It not only made learning meaningful for them but made it a rewarding experience for me. I will continue to share the impact of this process with my colleagues in my new position as a Master Teacher, and I hope it can play a part in improving our school results.”
The LCSD 55 Human Resources (HR) Department aims to support the growth of educators in the district to benefit students. HR was instrumental in leading, guiding, and encouraging Harris and Mani to pursue the National Board Certification. The district offered an informational session presented by the South Carolina National Board Network (SCNBN), created a learning cohort, and provided the teachers liaisons, mentors, and small group facilitators who advised them in obtaining the certification.
Harris said, “My district mentor, Felicia Williams Miller, provided unwavering support throughout the entire process by staying up late, reading through my submissions, and pushing me to keep going when I sometimes felt that this process was too daunting. I also received many words of encouragement, guidance, and advice from my administrator, Dr. Carlos Littlejohn. The district office offered constant moral support and resources for the requirements, reminded me of deadlines, and provided nourishment during those late afternoon cohort meetings. I am certain without the cohort and the support from my mentor and administrator, this challenge would have been much harder to accomplish.”
Mani said, “I am grateful to Ms. Scott at the District Office for creating this cohort that helped me through the process. The meetings were instrumental in gaining different perspectives on approaching the various components. I want all teachers to take this opportunity to be more reflective and effective in their classrooms.”
Educators in South Carolina are encouraged to consider working in LCSD 55 and pursue their National Board Certification with the support of the HR Department. Interested educators may contact Alicia Scott, HR Special Projects Coordinator, at [email protected].