Dear Pelion Elementary Families,

It is an absolute honor to serve as your interim principal! 

My first few days at Pelion Elementary have been wonderful!  I am beyond impressed with our faculty, staff, PTO, and our children!  Our children are very bright and inquisitive! Exceptional qualities! I will remind them every day to work hard, to be kind, and to be safe.

Everyone has welcomed me and wrapped their arms around me to make sure that I am able to do my personal best for you, our children, and our community. I love the phrase “joy on tiptoes,” and right now that is the kind of joy I am experiencing.

I am originally from Batesburg, where my mom was a teacher for 43 years and my dad farmed and hauled chickens. My mom was a Padgett from Fairview, where I spent many Sundays and Revivals at Fairview Baptist Church. I loved my special days (and still do) being with cousins in Fairview, Pelion and Wagener. 

I graduated from Newberry College a little early, and started teaching when I was 19 and retired 45 years later.  I served as a middle school teacher, elementary teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal, principal of three schools, Director of Elementary Schools, Chief Planning and Initiatives Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and Assistant Superintendent of Academics. This service was in three different districts - Kershaw (Lugoff), Lexington 1 and Richland 2. My husband, Mike, retired from Lexington One and has continued to work as an Administrator in Orangeburg and now Richland 2.

In October, I was the Mystery Reader for my granddaughter's kindergarten class in Columbia and was asked to give three clues about myself.  My 3 clues were: I love school.  I love to read.  I love to walk and workout.  Needless to say, they didn’t guess who their mystery reader was for that morning. I share this with you because I do “love” school, to read, and to practice self-care!  Most important to me are my faith, my family - 3 grandchildren - Millie, James (named after me) and Matthew, and I do love high school and college sports.

As a principal, I use what I call my signature books to help describe who I am as a leader. The books are: Fish, Jonathan and Spyglass. To summarize, Fish is about working together as a team, having fun and joy at work, and being present for each other. Jonathan is a beautiful book about the importance of taking care of ALL children….and ALL means ALL. Spyglass reminds us of “seeing what can be, and working together to make it happen.”

I love Pelion Elementary and our community.  I invite you to join hands with me as we all do our personal best for our children, faculty, staff and community!  I love being “back home!”  And actually, “there is no place like home.” 

With Panther Pride, 

Sincerely,

James Ann Lynch Sheley