Principal’s love of literacy leads to state recognition
March 2, 2022
Kimberly Hutcherson, principal of the Center for Achievement (CFA) in Richland School District Two is the winner of the Palmetto State Literacy Association’s Distinguished Literacy Administrator of the Year award. Her continuous encouragement for literacy, motivation for children, professional development for teachers, knowledge of the literacy process, and innovation stood out from the other candidates.
Hutcherson was nominated by CFA reading coach Jamie Richardson. “Ms. Hutcherson has committed herself to the improvement of literacy by leading the implementation of innovative practices for students and by providing both students and teachers equitable access to materials that enhance learning. She has designed multiple frameworks for students that bridge literacy with Social Emotional Learning. She supports educators across the state through leading workshops centered on bolstering achievement and cultivating responsive literacy,” Richardson said.
Her lifelong passion for literacy is something Hutcherson says motivates her to share her love of literacy with others. “Each time that I stare in the eyes of a child, I’m reminded of my life’s purpose to help them see,” said Hutcherson.
Hutcherson was publicly recognized last week at the Palmetto State Literacy Association’s Annual Conference in Hilton Head, SC. In January, she was named the Columbia Area Reading Council 2022 Distinguished Literacy Administrator of the Year.
Hutcherson has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a master’s in elementary education from the University of South Carolina. She earned an education specialist degree in educational leadership and supervision from Cambridge College and is a member of the South Carolina Association for School Administrators, International Reading Association, and the Columbia Area Reading Council. She is also certified in Middle School Language Arts. She has served as principal of CFA since 2017.
The Center for Achievement is a magnet center that offers students in grades second through sixth, specialized learning experiences in a smaller learning environment with lower teacher/student ratios. CFA is one of four magnet centers in Richland Two.
