Two South Carolina School Leaders Receive Top Honors
May 3, 2014
SPARTANBURG, SC – May 3, 2014 – Spartanburg School District 7 Superintendent, Dr. Russell Booker, has been named the 2015 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year, and Laurens School District 56 Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education & Student Services, Dr. Laura Koskela, has been named District Level Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA).
Despite the challenges that face educators today, namely the budget cuts, Booker has led Spartanburg District 7 to take “bold, innovative actions” to bring the district forward. Some of these actions include creating an early college program serving students in grade 9 at Spartanburg Community College, adding foreign language at the elementary level, opening an Early Learning Center serving students 0-4, and many others. He will compete for the 2015 National Superintendent of the Year award sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Aramark, and ING.
Molly Spearman, Executive Director of SCASA, states, “Dr. Booker is an active, innovative partner who strives to improve the lives of students and families in Spartanburg and its surrounding neighborhoods each and every day. He is a great example of how strong school leadership impacts the entire community.”
Finalists for the award were Dr. Frank Morgan, Kershaw County Schools and Dr. Nancy McGinley, Charleston County Schools. Candidates participated in an application and interview process conducted by a team of South Carolina business, education, and community leaders.
Dr. Laura Koskela, Assistant Superintendent of Laurens School District 56, was named the outstanding District Level Administrator of the Year by SCASA. Koskela has been an advocate for education policy in the state and currently serves on the executive committee for the SCASA Instructional Leaders’ Roundtable.
Dr. David O‘Shields, Superintendent of Laurens School District 56, states, “Dr. Koskela possesses the vision, courage, and capacity to serve as an advocate for our students most in need or most likely to be overlooked, marginalized, or forgotten.”
Booker and Koskela will be recognized throughout the year for their accomplishments. Moseley Architects supports both awards by providing a scholarship to each winner to be used to assist a student or teacher with professional development or college courses.
SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 3,700. 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.
