Area 17 - Meet your Candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees

Meet Carolyn Styles, Area 17 candidate for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees in the November general election. Area 17 generally covers Northeastern Greenville County to the east of US 25 and down to Old Rutherford and Stallings Road on the South end, encompassing some of the Paris Mountain area. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Links:

Carolyn Styles

Sample Ballot

Transcript

Catherine Schumacher:
This episode of Simple Civics Greenville County is sponsored by Public Education Partners. Since 1985, Public Education Partners has served as an innovation partner for Greenville County schools and a champion for public education. As an independent, non-profit organization, PEP fosters connections between the private sector and public schools to support the teachers and students in Greenville's classrooms. To learn more or become a public education partner, visit pepgc.org.

Katy Smith:
When you go to the polls on November 5th or in early voting, you have the chance to vote not just for the president. About half of Greenville County voters will also cast a ballot for their representative on the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees. The 12-person nonpartisan school board, as it's informally called, governs the public Greenville County School District, the largest in the state, by setting policy, approving the budget, and selecting and evaluating the superintendent. Intendant. I'm Katy Smith with Greater Good Greenville, and on this episode of Simple Civics: Greenville County, we feature an interview with your candidate for school board in Area 17, Carolyn Styles. This is an unusual episode because, on your ballot, you will see both Ms. Styles listed along with Lisa Campbell Bracewell. Ms. Bracewell has withdrawn from the race, which she first noted on her social media in September, and which we confirmed with her by telephone. However, Ms. Bracewell's name will still appear on the ballot.

Katy Smith:
She did participate in an interview, which we greatly appreciate. But so as not to further confuse District 17 voters, we are airing Ms. Styles' interview alone on this episode, since she is the lone candidate intending to serve. We wish Ms. Bracewell all the best. Area 17 generally represents northeastern Greenville County, including the Tigerville area. Here's how the interviews worked. All candidates received the same question at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview. Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview. We've put links to the participating candidates' preferred internet presence on the episode page.

Katy Smith:
Candidates are interviewed by Catherine Schumacher, President and CEO of Public Education Partners. Here's Carolyn Styles.

Catherine Schumacher:
Well, I'm happy to be here with Dr. Carolyn Styles, who is running for re-election to the Greenville County School Board for Area 17. Carolyn, thank you so much for being with me today. Why don't we start with you telling a little bit about yourself, your experience with public schools, and how your background prepares you to serve as a Greenville County Schools trustee.

Carolyn Styles:
Thank you, Catherine. I grew up in northern Greenville County in the small town of Tigerville, home of North Greenville University. I fell in love with learning as a child and always held my teachers and my principals in the highest esteem. From an incredibly young age, I knew that I was destined to serve children. I loved playing school, and I always had to be the teacher. My love for learning and teaching held true throughout my schooling in Greenville County Schools. After completing my education degree, I secured my first teaching job at Tigerville Elementary School. My entry into the teaching profession in the same school where my own love for learning had been ignited and the opportunity to work alongside some of my former teachers was a truly a wonderful and unique experience, which I will always cherish.

Carolyn Styles:
In fact, I continue to maintain a close relationship with my fourth and fifth grade teacher. After one year at Tigerville, I was accessed to Skyland Elementary School, a school and and community I also learned to love very deeply. It was at Skyland my leadership skills began to be noticed, leading me again to gain a second master's degree in educational leadership. While I had no intention of ever becoming anything than a teacher leader, my studies brought me to a powerful realization. Teachers make a difference for the students they serve in the classroom, room, but a principal makes a difference for all students. At that point, my pathway forward changed, and I decided I wanted to serve children where I could have the greatest impact, the principalship.

Carolyn Styles:
When the principal at Skyland retired, I was encouraged by my peers to apply for the job, and I did. Hopeful for the experience of the interview process, never once believing I truly had a chance of being selected. However, following several interviews with different panels, I was advanced to the final interview, which was with Superintendent Dr. Rudolph Gordon. I will never forget my last interview question that day. Why should I hire you for the principalship at Skyland, he asked. Because only I can start tomorrow moving the school forward, and you have my commitment. That is exactly what I will do. At the conclusion of the interview, I was offered the job on the spot. This was unheard of, moving from the classroom directly to the principalship and at the youthful age of 32. It took some time to be accepted into my principal peer group because my entry into the role was different, but my unwavering passion and determination eventually won them over. During my tenure, I was encouraged to pursue a doctorate degree in educational leadership, which I completed in 2010, earning my superintendent certification.

Carolyn Styles:
For over 30 years and until my retirement, I passionately and faithfully served the children at Skyland, celebrating and honoring academic excellence as well as good citizenship and service. In 2018, Skyland was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and became one of four showcase schools for our nation, placing Skyland in the national spotlight.

Carolyn Styles:
After receiving this award, the highest honor which can be bestowed upon a school and a principal, I realized my goals and aspirations at Skyland had been accomplished, and it was time for me to pass the torch to a new leader. It was an exceedingly difficult decision, and saying goodbye to the children and the people I love so dearly was among one of the most difficult things I have experienced to date. Following my retirement, I decided to pursue a new path, a path which I felt well-prepared to effectively serve and where I could make a greater impact than ever before, serving our children and our community as a Greenville County Schools trustee. I also had the privilege to serve on Governor Henry McMaster's Education Task Force, chairing the Teacher Retention and Recruitment Committee. committee. My pledge remains the same, to serve with passion and love and to use my knowledge, skills, and expertise to make a difference for our students, our schools, and our community while always putting our children first in words and actions.

Catherine Schumacher:
Thank you. What do you consider to be the most critical issues for the district and board of trustees to focus on in the next four years?

Carolyn Styles:
Several critical issues come to mind for the next four years. First, it will be critical that we continue to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students, an environment that promotes respectful relationships and learning. A safe and supportive school environment is the foundation for student success, both in the school and in the community. When students feel safe, they're more likely to participate in learning, perform better academically, have good attendance, become more confident, and meet their full potential.

Carolyn Styles:
A second critical issue will be our ability to recruit, retain, and develop high-quality teachers. Teacher quality matters. In fact, it is the most important factor influencing student achievement. A shortage of qualified teachers impacts students' learning, places a burden on existing educators, exacerbates teacher burnout, and increases the number of teachers leaving the profession. Therefore, it will be essential that we continue to provide wages for teachers that are competitive. This will aid us in filling our vacancies and securing the best and brightest teachers right here in Greenville County Schools. This year, Greenville County Schools, unlike many districts across the state, was able to fill every teaching position prior to the first day of school. This was due to the board's support of a teacher pay increase, which allowed us to be competitive.

Carolyn Styles:
Another area of critical concern is the national epidemic of student absenteeism, which is hitting close to home. During the 22-23 school year, 18,771 of our Greenville County students, which is 24.2 percent, were chronically absent, which is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days of a student's membership. Keeping our students in school is critical. When students are not in the classroom, the academic impact is detrimental. Chronically absent students, for example, are less likely to read at grade level by grade three. This critical milestone increases the likelihood they will graduate from high school. Students who are excessively absent also miss important social engagement that enhances the school experience and prepares them to become college and career ready. A continuing and advanced effort to engage parents to align community expectations will be necessary to support every student in achievement at the highest possible levels.

Catherine Schumacher:
What do you think is the greatest strength of Greenville County Schools and how would you as a trustee work to enhance it?

Carolyn Styles:
There is no question about our strength. Our greatest strength is our employees. It is their dedication and unique strengths that make our district shine above all others. Every employee who enters our doors performs an essential function, whether it be providing leadership, preparing warm, tasty meals, keeping our classrooms clean, driving a bus, greeting and checking in guests, maintaining records, or teaching and inspiring our students. Each of these roles is vital in preparing our students to reach their maximal potential every single day. As the board chair, I can best enhance this strength by being a servant and caring leader, listening to our employees' needs, and advocating for change when needed. Moreover, I can support them through my voice and my vote in the boardroom, and that is exactly what I have done in the past. And will continue to do moving forward. As a former school principal, my faculty, staff, and I always knew the board members who had our employees' best interests at heart. Caring for our employees shows in words and actions, and I trust my love and support of them always shines through.

Catherine Schumacher:
We have a tiny little bit of time left. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?

Carolyn Styles:
Yes, I would just say, I would love for you to get to know me better. I have a Facebook page, Carolyn Styles Greenville County Board of Trustees Area 17. Please be sure to check out my post. And let's become better acquainted. I would like nothing more than to continue to serve as a Greenville County Schools Board of Trustee leader.

Catherine Schumacher:
Wonderful. Thank you, Carolyn. And thank you for your willingness to continue to serve the students and teachers of Greenville County Schools.

Carolyn Styles:
Thank you. It's been a privilege to be here today.

Catherine Puckett:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Greater Good Greenville was catalyzed by the merger of the Nonprofit Alliance and the Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy. You can learn more on our website at greatergoodgreenville.org.