Welcome to our 2025-2026 #A3TeachingTeam, Ms. Gracie Burriss! 🎉🐯✏️
Ms. Burriss will be joining Starr Elementary as a new 3rd Grade Math Teacher!
Gracie graduated this past December from Anderson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a proud Crescent High School graduate who grew up right here in Iva, SC, and always knew she wanted to give back to the district that helped shape her. After completing her student teaching with us and feeling called to serve here, she knew Anderson 3 was where she belonged.
Outside the classroom, Gracie loves spending time with her family, pouring into her church family at Union Baptist, caring for children, and enjoying fun girls’ days filled with shopping and good food.
We are so excited for Gracie to start this new adventure and give back to the community she’s always called home. Welcome, Ms. Burriss, we’re so glad you’re here! 💛🥳🖤
Ms. Burriss will be joining Starr Elementary as a new 3rd Grade Math Teacher!
Gracie graduated this past December from Anderson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a proud Crescent High School graduate who grew up right here in Iva, SC, and always knew she wanted to give back to the district that helped shape her. After completing her student teaching with us and feeling called to serve here, she knew Anderson 3 was where she belonged.
Outside the classroom, Gracie loves spending time with her family, pouring into her church family at Union Baptist, caring for children, and enjoying fun girls’ days filled with shopping and good food.
We are so excited for Gracie to start this new adventure and give back to the community she’s always called home. Welcome, Ms. Burriss, we’re so glad you’re here! 💛🥳🖤
Congratulations to 2025 Retiree Mrs. Tammy Boggs! 🎉💛
Tammy brought her sweet and gentle spirit with her as she worked to serve thousands of students over 31 years of dedicated service in the Crescent High School cafeteria.
Tammy has loved every moment of serving students, especially the joy of serving her own children and now even two of her grandchildren during their time at Crescent! She often says her role was more than a job, it was part of His mission field, ensuring no child was hungry so they could focus on learning and growing.
She'll deeply miss the camaraderie of her cafeteria team, who made every shift full of laughter and care. A proud wife to recently retired Donnie, Tammy is also the proud mother of three children (with spouses) who work in education, healthcare, ministry, and IT. With five beloved grandbabies, she’s got big retirement plans full of family, faith, and well-earned rest.
Mrs. Boggs—thank you for your warm heart, servant spirit, and steady presence at Crescent. You’ve made a difference in more lives than you’ll ever know. Enjoy every moment of retirement! 💐🥪🐯
Tammy brought her sweet and gentle spirit with her as she worked to serve thousands of students over 31 years of dedicated service in the Crescent High School cafeteria.
Tammy has loved every moment of serving students, especially the joy of serving her own children and now even two of her grandchildren during their time at Crescent! She often says her role was more than a job, it was part of His mission field, ensuring no child was hungry so they could focus on learning and growing.
She'll deeply miss the camaraderie of her cafeteria team, who made every shift full of laughter and care. A proud wife to recently retired Donnie, Tammy is also the proud mother of three children (with spouses) who work in education, healthcare, ministry, and IT. With five beloved grandbabies, she’s got big retirement plans full of family, faith, and well-earned rest.
Mrs. Boggs—thank you for your warm heart, servant spirit, and steady presence at Crescent. You’ve made a difference in more lives than you’ll ever know. Enjoy every moment of retirement! 💐🥪🐯
Our 2025-2026 #A3TeachingTeam is gaining another familiar face! Please help us welcome Mrs. Julianna Sharpe back home to Anderson 3 as a Math Teacher at Crescent High School! ✏️📚🎉
Julianna, a proud Starr native, joins us from Abbeville High School. Mrs. Sharpe earned her bachelor's in Math with a minor in Education from Shenandoah University and is entering her fifth year of teaching. She and her husband, Connor, have two sons, Isaac and Noah.
We're thrilled to have her bring her heart for teaching and love for the community to CHS! Go Tigers! 💛🐯📐
Congratulations to 2025 Retiree Mr. Darrell Parnell! 🇺🇸📚
After 19 years in the classroom (ten at Wright Middle and nine here at Crescent High), Mr. Parnell is retiring from his role as U.S. History teacher. His love for our country’s past, paired with his passion for helping students understand the present, made his classroom a place of rich conversation and critical thinking.
Mr. Parnell and his wife, Cathy, have spent the past 44 years serving their country and community through military service and public education. The two just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary and are looking forward to retirement adventures with their grandchildren.
Mr. Parnell says he will miss the meaningful discussions with students and especially loved teaching the ideals of the U.S. Constitution. A true educator at heart, he summed up his career simply: “Helping young people develop academic and life skills.”
Thank you, Mr. Parnell, for your wisdom, service, and unwavering dedication to your students. Happy Retirement! 🎉🐯💛
POV: You just finished Summer Camp, and now you're running full speed into the best water day ever! 💦🔫😎
Big thanks to Joy Comes for bringing the fun for these kiddos as we celebrate all the learning from Summer Reading Camp and Kindergarten Kick-off Camp! 🤩
💭 Did you know? 💭
Anderson 3 houses Head Start classrooms at Starr and Flat Rock Elementary. Registration is now open, and applications are being accepted qualifying for 3 and 4-year-olds. 🚌✏️
🖥️ Visit bit.ly/HeadStartRegis to apply!
☎️ For more information, call Starr Headstart @ 864-276-1566 or Flat Rock Headstart at 864-800-3852
Congratulations to 2025 Retiree Mr. James Walker! 🚌💛🥳
Mr. Walker is retiring after 17 years of service as a beloved bus driver in Anderson 3, faithfully driving the Iva 6 route throughout his entire career. A proud Starr native and 1976 graduate of Crescent High School, Mr. Walker went on to earn his Management degree from TCT in 1980. Before joining the district, he worked at AFCO for 16 years before deciding he wanted to give back to the community that shaped him.
Known for his joyful personality and quick wit, Mr. Walker made it his mission to bring laughter and light to everyone he encountered. He’ll especially miss “all my little ones on the bus” and cherishes memories like taking the Crescent Tiger Band on countless trips.
Reflecting on his time in education, he said, “I love watching the children grow through the years and seeing how much they’ve learned and changed.” Mr. Walker’s presence on the bus was more than transportation—it was a warm welcome and a familiar face that helped students start and end their school day with a smile.
Thank you, Mr. Walker, for your dedication and the love you’ve shown our students. You’re a True Tiger, and you’ll always be part of the Anderson 3 family. Happy Retirement! 💛🐯🎉
Help us welcome Miss Gracey Thomasson to the first grade team at Flat Rock Elementary School!🎉👋
Gracey is a proud Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. An Abbeville native, she comes from a big, close-knit family and is excited to bring that same spirit of connection and care to her classroom. 💛📚
When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her helping brides find their dream dress as a bridal stylist at Dressing Dreams in Hartwell, GA! 👰💐
Welcome to the Anderson 3 Teaching Team, Miss Thomasson! ✨#A3TeachingTeam #FlatRockFamily
Who’s enjoying summer vacation? These two bus bosses, that’s who! 🚌☀️
🎓👏🏼 Congratulations to Crescent High School’s 2025 Valedictorian, Carter Miller, and Salutatorian, Annalisa McCall! 🏅🐯
Carter will attend Clemson University to pursue an engineering degree, while Annalisa will attend the University of South Carolina as a Nursing major in the prestigious Honors College.
These two top Tigers are headed to South Carolina’s leading universities, and we couldn’t be prouder! Their hard work, leadership, and determination have set a shining example for all of Crescent. 💛🖤
Way to go, Carter and Annalisa! 🎉📚
🍽️☀️ FREE Summer Meals for ALL Kids & Teens!
Anderson 3 families — you're invited! Bring your children to Flat Rock Elementary this summer for FREE breakfast & lunch as part of our Summer Meals Program.
📍 Flat Rock Elementary
📅 June 2–19 (Mon–Thu)
🍳 Breakfast: 7:30–8:15 AM
🥪 Lunch: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
✅ Open to ALL children & teens 18 & under — no cost, no registration, and no residency requirements!
✅ Meals must be eaten on site.
The Iva Branch Library of the Anderson County Library System has officially opened its doors in the heart of Downtown Iva, just in time for Summer Reading and Learning! 📚✨
This project began in 2022 when Anderson 3 repurposed the former library building to expand district office space and consolidate district services into one central location. We are thrilled to now see the library thriving in its new home of the renovated former Iva Fire Department building, creating a fresh hub of learning and connection for our community.
Make sure you stop by to check it out to explore, enjoy, and grow through the power of reading! 📖☀️
👋Join Our Team!👋
Due to retirements, we are now accepting applications for an immediate opening for School Custodian at Starr-Iva Middle.🧼🧑🏽🔧
For more details on this position and to apply, visit bit.ly/A3Careers
Note: A 4% pay raise to the currently posted Custodian Salary Schedule is proposed pending Board Approval.
Pause to Remember. 🇺🇸
#MemorialDay #NeverForgotten
Are you ready to build the future?🔨🧰
Crescent High School is now accepting applications for the position of Carpentry & Construction Teacher for the 2025-2026 School Year. 🛠️📐
📩 Apply Now! https://bit.ly/A3Careers
🎓 Dr. Jamie Minto 🎓
Please join us in celebrating Dr. Jamie Minto, 6th Grade Teacher at Starr-Iva Middle, who has officially earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Anderson University! 🎉📚
Her dissertation, “The Impact of Graduate Degrees on Teacher Retention: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Educators,” highlights her passion for supporting and understanding the journey of educators.
We are so proud of Jamie's dedication to lifelong learning and her continued commitment to making a difference in education.
Congratulations, Dr. Minto! 🥳💛
Let’s hear it for Mrs. Karen Gentry, our 2025-2026 District Office Staff Member of the Year! 🎉
Karen has served Anderson 3 for eight years as a receptionist and administrative assistant. She juggles everything from answering phones and welcoming visitors to supporting various departments.
She does not love the spotlight, but her kind heart, calm presence, and behind-the-scenes dedication shine every single day. Karen is the one who takes care of everyone else, and we’re so grateful for the care, love, and support she pours into our office and our district. 💛
Congratulations, Mrs. Gentry! You are so deserving of this honor! 🤩
🌟 Starr Elementary is looking for a Shining Star to join its 2025-2026 Teaching Team! 🌟
📍 Apply today: https://bit.ly/A3Careers
🎓 Dr. Ariel Davis! 🎓
We are excited to announce that Starr Elementary’s Assistant Principal of Instruction, Ariel Davis, has earned her doctorate from Anderson University! 🎉
Her dissertation, “Understanding the Impact of High-Quality Professional Development on Instructional Practices,” reflects her dedication to enhancing education for all.
Specifically, Dr. Davis explored how reading coaches support teachers to strengthen instructional practices in the classroom.
We are so proud of you, Dr. Davis! 🎉
Join us in celebrating Iva Elementary's 2025–2026 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year! 🎉🥳
🍎 Mrs. Christi Sherman is Iva’s Teacher of the Year! Now in her 7th year at Iva, Mrs. Sherman lights up every room with her warmth, energy, and compassion. Her deep love for her students and her passion for life are evident in all she does. Fiercely dedicated, endlessly kind, and a true friend to many! 💛📚
📋 Mrs. Tonya Walters is Iva’s Support Staff of the Year! For the past 3 years, Mrs. Walters has served as the bookkeeper with excellence, heart, and grace. Her genuine spirit, attention to detail, and calm ability to juggle it all make her a behind-the-scenes hero. Always ready to lend a hand, Tonya leads with a servant’s heart and supports our team in countless ways every single day. 💼💖
Help us give a big Tiger cheer to these amazing women who make Iva Elementary such a special place!
