Anderson School District 3

We wanted to take a moment to recognize Mrs. Beth Hughes as she “retires” from her role as Anderson 3’s District Head Nurse after nearly 15 years of dedicated service! 💉❤️

Throughout her tenure, Beth has been a trusted leader and steady presence, helping guide our district through some of the most challenging health situations ever, including COVID-19, Measles, and countless day-to-day health and safety needs. Her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to students and staff have made a lasting impact across Anderson 3.

Thankfully, this isn’t goodbye! Mrs. Hughes will continue serving our students as the school nurse at Flat Rock Elementary, and we are grateful that her caring heart and expertise will remain part of our Tiger family.

Thank you, Mrs. Hughes, for your leadership, dedication, and nearly 15 years of service to Anderson 3 as our head nurse! 🐯🩺💙

🥎🏆 2026 3A STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!🐅💍
HOW BOUT THEM LADY TIGERS!!! 💪💪💪

Congratulations to 2026 Retiree, Mrs. Rhonda Carnes! 🎉🍎

After 27 years of dedicated service in Anderson 3, Mrs. Carnes has retired from Starr Elementary, where she most recently taught Kindergarten. 💛🖤
A Hartwell, Georgia native, Mrs. Carnes began her career in education as a paraprofessional in Hart County while attending college classes in the evening. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Brenau University, she began teaching at Nevitt Forest before joining Starr Elementary, a place she has called her second home for most of her adult life.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Carnes taught 2nd grade, 1st grade, and Kindergarten, making a lasting impact on generations of students and families.
“Teaching is one of those rare jobs where you can actually see the impact of what you do. By the end of the year, it’s incredible to look back at where your students began and realize just how much they’ve grown. Teaching is a hard job, but it is so rewarding…and never boring!"

Mrs. Carnes says she will miss the students, her teammates, and the coworkers who became like family over the years. Thank you, Mrs. Carnes, for your heart, dedication, and love for students. You will be missed! 😊🫶

We are incredibly proud of Crescent High School 9th graders Colt Fulton and Paxton Hatcher, who were recently recognized by the Anderson County Council for their extraordinary courage and quick thinking during a traumatic emergency.

They both serve with the Williford Fire Department and did not hesitate to jump in and help when Kyle Hatcher, Paxton's dad, was in a tractor accident. Their quick actions made a life-saving difference, and we could not be prouder of them!

Please join us in sending kudos to Paxton and Colt, both fine young men, on this recognition and in wishing Kyle a continued, speedy recovery. 💙

Congratulations to Mrs. Stephanie Harbert, Starr Elementary School's 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year! 🐯🍎✨

Mrs. Harbert is the kind of teacher who brings learning to life. Dedicated, passionate, and wonderfully “old-school” in the very best way, she has a spark that reminds you of Ms. Frizzle, turning every lesson into an adventure and every student into an explorer.

An instructional master, Mrs. Harbert takes a deep dive into the world of phonics and literacy, helping students build the foundation they need to grow as confident readers and learners. She consistently goes the extra mile with purpose, heart, and creativity, making sure her students have what they need to succeed. Most importantly, Mrs. Harbert is a fierce advocate for her students, championing their needs and celebrating their progress every step of the way.
Congratulations to Mr. Gerald “Epp” Norman, SES Support Staff of the Year! 🐯✨

Mr. Epp is a valued member of Starr’s facilities team, and his impact can be felt far beyond the work he does each day to keep our school running smoothly. With a smile on his face, a quick joke, and a heart for others, he brings joy, encouragement, and positivity everywhere he goes.

Whether he is supporting students and staff during the school day or showing up for extracurricular events, Mr. Epp is always there to cheer on the Starr family. He has a special way of noticing when someone needs a little encouragement, and his reassuring words—“It’s going to be alright”—have lifted more spirits than he probably knows.

Congratulations to these two fine members of our A3 Team! 👏🎉

Old school fun was had at Starr-Iva Middle School as students celebrated the end of state testing with an exciting Incentive Day! 🎉

From kickball and karaoke to inflatable slides and more, students enjoyed a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and well-earned fun after all their hard work. We are so proud of the effort they showed throughout testing season! 🐯💛

Crescent Softball is shining bright with FIVE STRAIGHT District Championships! 🥎🏆🐅
Go Tigers! Keep Grinding, Ladies! 💪🔥

Help us celebrate Ms. Annie Erbacher, Anderson 3’s Rookie Teacher of the Year! 🎉🍎🤩

A Clemson Master Teacher who completed her residency at Crescent, Ms. Erbacher has made an incredible impact in her first year at the helm of her own classroom. With all the tested subjects on her plate, she has risen to the challenge and works hard each day to make sure her students are prepared to do their very best.

Ms. Erbacher keeps her students engaged from start to finish with her energetic personality, caring heart, and constant encouragement. Her students especially love her reward system, which motivates them to stay focused and give their best effort each day.

We are so thankful for the dedication, passion, and care she pours into her students every single day. Congratulations, Ms. Erbacher! 👏 🐅

Congratulations to Mrs. Carrie Caldwell, Starr-Iva Middle's 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year! 🍎✨

As SIMS’ Agriculture Teacher, Mrs. Caldwell has already made an incredible impact in her first year at the school, bringing with her eight years of experience, endless positivity, and a renewed energy for agricultural education. Thanks to her leadership and passion, the agriculture program has made an exciting return to SIMS this year! 🌱🐄

Her philosophy of “fail forward” encourages students to try new things, learn from mistakes, and keep growing. She is intentional in everything she does and consistently brings together staff members, students, and community groups to create experiences that involve and uplift the entire school. From beautifying the campus to building strong relationships, Mrs. Caldwell’s impact is evident everywhere at SIMS. 💛

Congratulations to Mr. Gene Barnett, SIMS 2026–2027 Support Staff of the Year! 👏✨

As a valued member of the facilities team, Mr. Gene is truly a rockstar at SIMS! Every single day, he shows up with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a genuine love for the school community.

Mr. Gene goes above and beyond in everything he does, giving 100% — and then some — to ensure the school is the best it can be. He takes great pride in SIMS and encourages others to do the same. Beyond his work, Mr. Gene builds meaningful relationships with students and staff alike. His caring heart, positive spirit, and sense of humor make him such a blessing to the SIMS family. He keeps everyone smiling while helping the school run smoothly each and every day!

Mrs. Haliea Carwile is Flat Rock Elementary's 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year! 🍎✨ Hailea is a dedicated 5th-grade ELA teacher with nine years under her belt. She consistently builds strong relationships with her students, especially those who may need an extra push or encouragement. She believes there are no excuses and sees student challenges not as setbacks, but as opportunities. Helping students cross the finish line and reach their full potential is truly her sweet spot. Her calm, team-player attitude and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on everyone around her! Mr. Matthew Gibson is the 2026–2027 Support Staff of the Year for FRES!👏✨ For the past eight years on the A3 facilities team, Mr. Gibson has been a self-starter who consistently goes above and beyond for the school community. Before anyone even realizes something needs to be done, he has already stepped up and taken care of it. Mr. Gibson doesn’t work from a job description; he simply does whatever is needed to make Flat Rock Elementary the very best it can be. He is a protector, a caring and loving presence, and someone who helps keep the school running smoothly every single day. Congratulations to these two #Uncommon Tigers! We are so thankful for you! 🎉🥳

Please join us in congratulating 22 of our amazing teachers who graduated from Lander University with their M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning! 🎓🐅 While not everyone is pictured, we are incredibly proud of every single member of our A3 Lander cohort for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to growing as educators for our students and community. Congratulations, graduates! 💙💛

🍎 Ms. Samantha Latham, a dedicated kindergarten teacher, has been named Iva Elementary's 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year! With 12 years of experience, Ms. Latham is a truly multifaceted educator who brings energy, joy, and heart into everything she does. Her fun-loving, outgoing spirit creates a classroom where our kindergarteners feel welcome, valued, and excited to learn each day. She has a special gift for seeing the greatness in every child, always finding the good, lifting them up, and helping them build confidence from the very start. Her warm presence has brought so much positivity and life to Iva Elementary, making a lasting impact on both students and colleagues. 💛 🖍️ Ms. Kelsi Crowe is Iva's 2026–2027 Support Staff of the Year! As a dedicated 4K assistant, Ms. Crowe is driven, dependable, and always ready to support both students and teachers. Her commitment to helping the 4K classroom thrive makes her an incredible asset to Mrs. Boggs’ classroom each and every day. Known for her loyalty, strong work ethic, and reliability, Ms. Crowe is also a constant source of encouragement for those around her. She helps create a positive, nurturing environment where our youngest learners can grow and succeed. 💛 Congratulations, Ms. Latham and Ms. Crowe! You are truly #Uncommon, and we are so thankful for you! 🥳💜

Starting 2026-2027 TOTY & SSOTY announcements with 2 deserving Tigers! 🎉🐅 Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Lori McDowell, Crescent High School’s 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year! 🍎 With an incredible 31 years of teaching experience, Mrs. McDowell continues to inspire students every single day. She currently teaches AP Calculus, Pre-Calculus, and Algebra 2 Honors, challenging her students to think critically and achieve their very best. Known for her fun, energetic classroom style, she is always exploring new ways to improve instruction and engage her students. Whether she’s in the classroom or cheering on our Tigers at games and school events, Mrs. McDowell is a constant source of encouragement and support. She truly cares about her students and is dedicated to helping each one succeed! Please join us in congratulating Mrs. April Bishop, Crescent's 2026–2027 Support Staff of the Year! 🌟 For the past five years, Mrs. Bishop has served as our dedicated Guidance Assistant, consistently going above and beyond to support every department and every student she serves. She has a special gift for making students feel welcome, valued, and supported, and she always works hard to meet their individual needs. Known for her humble spirit, Mrs. Bishop never seeks recognition, but her impact speaks volumes! Congratulations to both of these incredible ladies, and thank you for the difference you make every day at Crescent High! 👏🥳

Every school has something you don’t always see…

The glue. 🧴🧡

The people who support classrooms, serve meals, and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes are our classified staff.

We’re Hiring:
🧼 Custodian - Starr-Iva Middle (Immediate)
🐯 Paraprofessionals (4K & Special Education) – Starr Elementary
🍽 Nutrition Services Operators – Starr Elementary & Starr-Iva Middle

If you’re ready to make a difference where it matters most, we’d love to have you on our team.

Apply Today ➡️ bit.ly/A3Jobs

The Cory White Diversity Award from the Anderson County Human Relations Council honors students who lead with love, acceptance, and strong character, values that reflect the legacy of Cory White.

Congratulations to Kylan Ware of Crescent High and Griffin Smith of Starr-Iva Middle for representing Anderson 3 so well. 👏🎉

Kylan is now a two-time recipient, first earning this honor in 8th grade.

We are proud of the impact these students are making!

Anderson 3 will dismiss students early on Thursday, May 21. Please note these early dismissal times! 😎☀️

-10:30 AM Crescent High
-10:45 AM Starr-Iva Middle
-11:00 AM Flat Rock, Iva, & Starr Elementary

Starr-Iva Middle's Quarter 4 Healthy Habits Assembly reminded students that what we see, hear, and participate in matters.

Negativity shapes us.
Kindness shapes us.
Our choices shape us.

💡 Reveal to heal. Don’t keep it bottled up. Talk it out. Write it out. Let it out.

A special thank you to Hannah Vernon from Joy Comes, who brought the message to life through a live painting, reminding students to let their light shine from the inside out! 🎨💡

A huge thank you to Sundt Construction for its generous $6,000 donation to Crescent FFA in support of the rodeo, and to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Foundation for its recent $1,000 donation from proceeds of the 1st Annual Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Foundation Rodeo, which was also held at the Crescent FFA Arena. 🤠🐎

The 19th Annual Daniel Jarrard Memorial Rodeo will be held at the Crescent FFA Arena on May 1 & 2 at 8:00 PM.
Thank you for investing in our students, our programs, and this special event!

Help Us Keep Anderson 3 Shining! ✨🧹

We have an Immediate Opening for a Custodial Position at Starr-Iva Middle.

Apply today ➡️ bit.ly/A3Jobs