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TO CONGRATULATE BEVERLY J. RAY-DOWEY OF KERSHAW COUNTY UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's most important legacy, its children; and
Whereas, Beverly J. Ray-Dowey of Kershaw County, retiring after thirty-two fruitful years as a teacher and administrator, stands among their number as an outstanding public benefactor, one much admired in her role as both educator and community leader; and
Whereas, the young Beverly received her bachelor's degree in physical education at the University of South Carolina. Further preparation for her calling followed at Francis Marion University, where she earned a master's degree in diverse learning (at-risk children). Moreover, she received a master's degree in administrative leadership at Winthrop University and certification as a gifted and talented instructor/trainer from Converse College; and
Whereas, in 1989, an eager first-year teacher, she began her work as an educator teaching science at Lugoff-Elgin High School before teaching at North Central High School. She served as the department chair at each school; and
Whereas, in addition to her duties as a classroom teacher over the years, she served as an assistant principal, administrative staff member, and homebound educator. In 2021, working with the Richland One Alternative Education Program in Columbia, Beverly concluded an honored public school teaching career of thirty-two years; and
Whereas, her career achievements have been numerous. Early on, she won a $10,000 technological grant from the Kershaw County School District, among other grants. Her administrative labors with the eighth-grade team in one school resulted in an increase in student standardized test scores of 56% and a reduction in student disciplinary referrals of 75%. In another school, her administrative work with the eleventh and twelfth grades brought a decrease of 87% in disciplinary referrals. Further, she advocated for at-risk students by becoming a member of the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), attending conferences, presenting at the 2015 and 2017 conferences for the Edgenuity Online School, and working toward NDPC certification; and
Whereas, having set the bar of achievement high in her profession, Beverly J. Ray-Dowey will be remembered with affection and gratitude by colleagues, students, parents, and legislative friends for years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Beverly J. Ray-Dowey of Kershaw County upon the occasion of her retirement, commend her for her thirty-two years of dedicated service as an educator, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Beverly J. Ray-Dowey.
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