SCSBA names Thomas Scarborough Champion for Public Education
October 18, 2016
The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) will honor Thomas Scarborough with the Champions for Public Education Award on Tuesday, October 18 during the Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five board meeting at 7 p.m.
Queenie Boyd, SCSBA President-Elect and Lee County School District Board Member, will present the association’s award along with Orangeburg Five Board Chair and SCSBA Regional Director Mary Ulmer.
The Orangeburg Five board nominated Thomas Scarborough for the award, which is presented to community residents, organizations or local businesses/industries whose support of and contributions to public education have significantly benefited the school district or public schools statewide.
Thomas Scarborough is a retired teacher and coach who now continues to give back to the community through volunteer service in Orangeburg Five. He recently received the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award for the district. His sustained commitment to serve as a volunteer mentor for a fifth grade student is commendable. Scarborough meets with his student at least once a week, focusing on academics and relationship building. He uses his love of team sports to mentor the young child and provide an adult role model for him. Scarborough has taught the student lessons about practice, teamwork and dedication by purchasing him a ball, bat and glove and enrolling him in a recreation league baseball team. You will often find him at the games cheering on his mentee.
Scarborough has also become an advocate for the district’s mentor program, encouraging others to find their place in the district and make a difference in the lives of local students. He believes in the work of mentors throughout the district and recruits others to volunteer.
“There is no doubt that Mr. Scarborough is making a difference in the lives of students in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five. We are thrilled to honor him for his selfless service and recognize him as a champion for students,” said SCSBA Executive Director Scott Price.
To receive the award, recipients must meet the following criteria:
- show leadership in support of ongoing or special programs authorized by the school board
- demonstrate, through actions, pride for the school district and effectively work for the betterment of the schools in the district as a whole or for public schools statewide
- understand public education’s importance to a democratic society and actively inspire
support for quality public schools within the community or state
- make a difference for the entire school district or schools statewide
