COLUMBIA – The National Alliance for Black Educators (NABSE) has selected Richland 2 School Board Chair Dr. Monica Elkins-Scott as its 2024 School Board Member of the Year. Dr. Elkins-Scott received the award during a ceremony at the 52nd annual NABSE International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia last month.
Dr. Elkins-Scott says winning this award made her feel proud and grateful. “It gave me validation and reassured me that when you truly care about people and put in the ‘heart’ work, be transparent and trustworthy, as well as willing to listen and learn from others; therefore, the community work you do, will speak for you at a higher level,” said Dr. Elkins-Scott. “As a career educator and lifelong advocate for faculty/staff, students, and parents, I often say that Education is embedded in my DNA. I will always be a voice for those who are afraid to speak up.”
According to Dr. Elkins-Scott, she is the first school board member in South Carolina to receive this distinguished honor. Her educational career and service spans more than three decades.
Dr. Elkins-Scott was initially elected to the Richland Two Board of Trustees in 2012 and has served three subsequent, four-year terms. She is currently the school board chair.
She has worked in a variety of capacities ranging from kindergarten, first- and fourth-grade teacher, high school teacher, where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) to serving as an administrator and principal. She is a former adjunct professor in the Education Department at University of South Carolina Upstate and Columbia College.
Additionally, Dr. Elkins-Scott has served on numerous boards and committees, including the South Carolina Education Association, South Carolina School Board Association, South Carolina Association for School Administrators, South Carolina Alliance of Black Educators, South Carolina School Board Caucus of Black School Board Members, Carolina Women for Change and Empowerment Board and Richland County Education Association.
Richland Two Superintendent Dr. Kim Moore recognized Dr. Elkins-Scott at the Dec. 10 school board meeting.