Phyllis Gamble has served as an educator and administrator in Aiken County Public Schools for over a decade and she was honored recently as a member of the school district’s Principal of the Year Honor Court for her outstanding work during the 2017-18 school year as principal of North Augusta Middle School. She did not have to look very far, however, for the next leadership opportunity in her educational career, one that will keep her in Aiken County for the near future.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved Gamble’s appointment as the new Executive Director of Middle Schools for the 2018-19 school year during a regularly scheduled meeting held May 8.
“What really drew me to this position was just the opportunity to coach leaders, because that is something I have from my background in the military and it is something I really like doing,” Gamble stated. “I love North Augusta Middle School. The students, parents and the community have just embraced me, supported me and been right there with me. I could not have asked for a better experience. It has been amazing.”
Gamble’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and a Master of Arts degree in Education in Educational Leadership from Augusta State University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Education Innovation and Curriculum Instruction program at Augusta University.
Gamble served in an active duty role with the United States Army for seven years – and completed an overseas tour in Afghanistan with the Army Reserve. She feels her experience in the military will serve her well as the District’s new Executive Director of Middle Schools.
“Some of the experiences during that part of my career, things like mediation and working with people collaboratively, will have a direct impact on this position,” Gamble commented.
Gamble says the idea of servant leadership is something she also takes very seriously, and it is yet another aspect of her work in public education that she really enjoys.
“For me, being a servant leader is all about giving people what they need to do their jobs and being a resource for others. No matter what they need, I am there as a resource,” she stated. “I am there to support them, encourage them and lift them up in any way possible so they can get their job done. It means I step back, while they step forward.”
Prior to serving as principal at North Augusta Middle School, Gamble served as an assistant principal at the school for two years. Ahead of that administrative experience, Gamble served as a special education teacher for six years, also at North Augusta Middle School.
Ahead of the 2018-19 school year, Gamble says she will focus on encouraging middle school administrators, teachers, staff and students to continue the upward trajectory of all Aiken County’s middle schools, while also enhancing the ONE TEAM culture of support and solidarity already present in Aiken County Public Schools.
“We want our middle schools to continue to move forward with the common goal that we all become schools of excellence together,” Gamble commented. “We want to highlight unity and I just look forward to all of our middle schools growing together exponentially. I am very excited to have the opportunity to remain in Aiken County Public Schools and watch this school district become a premier school district, and to be a part of that.”
Gamble will begin her duties as the District’s Executive Director of Middle Schools in July.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2018 PR MS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR