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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. KAREN C. WOODWARD, SUPERINTENDENT FOR LEXINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER A DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF FIFTY-ONE YEARS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that on June 30, 2016, Dr. Karen C. Woodward will begin a well-deserved retirement after more than fifty years of service as an educator, most recently as superintendent of Lexington County School District One from 2000 to 2016; and
Whereas, in preparation for her life's work, Dr. Woodward earned a bachelor's degree in education at the University of South Carolina, followed by a master's degree in education (administration, supervision) and a doctorate in education (curriculum, instruction), both awarded by the University of Georgia; and
Whereas, in 1964, Karen Woodward began her career in public education at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, where she taught English. Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and assistant superintendent, as well as district superintendent for Union County Schools, Anderson School District Five, and Lexington County School District One; and
Whereas, a respected leader within her profession, Dr. Woodward served on the task force that created the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act, and she chaired the Curriculum Framework and Guidance Committee. She led the South Carolina Statewide Task Force for World Class Funding and currently serves on the New Carolina Education and Workforce Development Task Force that looks at comprehensive solutions to South Carolina's education and workforce challenges; and
Whereas, because she believes strongly in personal involvement with her community, Dr. Woodward serves her fellow citizens through membership with the Lexington Rotary Club, Lexington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Lexington County Development Corporation Board. As a woman of faith, she worships at First Baptist Church of Greenwood; and
Whereas, in recognition of her dedicated service to the people of South Carolina, Karen Woodward has been granted numerous honors. She has received the 2015 South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association Friend of World Languages Award, the School Superintendents Association's 2014 Women in School Leadership Award (national), the 2013 Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce H. O'Delle Harman Award for humanitarianism, and the South Carolina Commission on Women and the Columbia College Alliance for Women's Women of Achievement Pioneer Award. She also was named South Carolina Superintendent of the Year; and
Whereas, state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman says of Dr. Woodward, "[She] has had a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of students, teachers, and education leaders across the State...In fact, she's impacted my own career. Dr. Woodward is the epitome of a visionary leader and communicator"; and
Whereas, the House, grateful for the legacy of committed excellence Dr. Woodward has bestowed on the people of South Carolina, takes great pleasure in wishing her well as she enters retirement. The members trust she will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Karen C. Woodward, superintendent for Lexington County School District One, upon the occasion of her retirement after a distinguished career of fifty-one years in the field of education and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Karen C. Woodward.
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