By Sylvia Wright
As a parent, grandparent, and teacher, I am appalled by the constant attacks on the character of teachers and the teaching profession. The politicization of education is elevating the education crisis in our state, and our children and grandchildren are the victims.
Students all over South Carolina attend classes without a certified teacher as school districts struggle to fill teacher vacancies. Teachers are working second jobs because they are still paid $10,000 below the national average.
Yet, the teachers who are showing up every day, sacrificing early mornings, late nights, and weekends to meet the needs of their students and fulfill the expectations of the profession, are not supported or valued. We need our teachers.
For two decades, our education system has ranked in the bottom 10 nationally. Instead of addressing the root causes of our educational plight, the current administration has chosen to focus on divisive political battles. Banning books, cutting ties with librarians, canceling the AP African American Studies course, targeting teachers, and defunding public education are not solutions to the real challenges plaguing our schools.
Positions of power should not be used to promote divisive ideology. These are positions of service.
Too many students are afraid. They are not only concerned about the increase in violence and bullying; they are also afraid of failing. The constant changes in curriculum and testing have diminished student confidence and learning.
Students in rural areas face even greater challenges. School facilities are outdated, students have limited access to advanced courses and Career and Technical Education opportunities, and a high percentage of teachers are uncertified and international.
Parents all over the state are frustrated with the lack of meaningful communication and transparency. In 2024, the Berkeley County School Board closed J.K. Gourdin Elementary school by adding an amendment to the school budget which closed the school without it being on the original agenda. Parents did not have the opportunity to voice their opinions or concerns before the final decision was approved. Parents felt betrayed and blindsided.
Parents want the best for their children, but their voices are being ignored. When politics outweigh purpose, our children lose. South Carolina deserves leadership that unites us, values education over politics, and elevates the level of learning for every child in every zip code.
My vision to advance South Carolina as one of the Top 10 educational systems in the country does not require big reforms. My plan of action includes:
● Creating an intercounty digital platform specific for teachers to support each other and share ideas;
● Working with Legislators to increase teacher pay to the national average;
● Investing in Early Childhood Education starting at six months to support parents, child care development centers, and home day cares;
● Establishing Arts Integration and Language Immersion programs in every district;
● Decreasing the frequency of curriculum changes;
● Increasing the number of Career and Technical Education courses, Apprenticeships, and Preapprenticeships in every district;
● Increasing the number of full-time social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and nurses within schools;
● Using technology, including AI, to personalize instruction to meet the unique needs of every student;
● Partnering with Law Enforcement and Firefighter Associations to provide contemporary tactical training for School Resource officers, local officers, and state officers;
● Establishing a consistent financial plan for school safety that protects our children, teachers, and everyone in the school building;
● Working with school districts to create new revenue sources to properly fund school budgets;
● Collaborating with the South Carolina Public Library System to promote reading initiatives that restore the joy of reading; and
● Hosting collaborative Town Halls with local superintendents and local elected officials in every county.
South Carolina deserves better. It is time to elect an educational leader who will advocate for and serve every student, every teacher, every school, and every family in South Carolina. Your voice and your vote in 2026 elections will determine the future of education for your children and grandchildren.
Sylvia Wright is a candidate for South Carolina State Superintendent of Education.
