Feature Friday | December Employee of the Month
Please join us in celebrating our December 2025 Employee of the Month, Hanna Kinard!
Ms. Kinard is a wonderful second-grade teacher who is fully dedicated to the art of teaching. Her goal is to ensure her students understand the curriculum, grow as learners, and develop into well-rounded individuals. She goes above and beyond by sending postcards to her students, helping cover field trip costs, and building strong partnerships with parents.
Ms. Kinard truly believes that together is better and lives this out by taking the lead in supporting her fellow teachers. With her positive attitude and strong work ethic, success is her only option!
Thank you, Hanna Kinard, for demonstrating excellence and making a lasting impact at North Aiken Elementary and across ACPSD. We appreciate all that you do!
District Leadership made surprise visits at schools and offices across the District today to celebrate this year’s Stars of Public Education Honor Court. The recognition program and event honoring ACPSD’s brightest stars first began as our annual Teacher of the Year celebration, and has grown to incorporate recognition of our very best New Teachers, Principals, Assistant Principals, Classified Staff, Professionals, and District-Level Administrators. With its origin in mind, we’ll begin our first Stars of Public Education Honor Court announcements with Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to our Teachers of the Year Honor Court!
Arrington Weston, Social Studies Teacher at Schofield Middle
Jerry Brannon, Science Teacher at RSM Middle/High
Madison Spires, Science Teacher at Silver Bluff High
Megan Maxwell, Speech Pathologist with Special Programs
Sonya Lee, Special Education Teacher at Leavelle McCampbell Middle
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates
When passion meets purpose, great things happen. Do more of what you love and help shape the future through education. Discover your next opportunity with ACPSD.
New year. Fresh energy. Same amazing people. As we jump back in after winter break, we’re celebrating our employees who continue to lead with heart, purpose, and resilience. Your work matters, and your impact is felt across our schools. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the year strong!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Join us for our Hiring Event on January 31, 2026, from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM at Aiken High School, 449 Rutland Drive, Aiken, SC 29801.
✔ Applications are required to interview
✔ Pre-register to save time
We look forward to meeting you.
The Teacher Transfer Window for the 2026–2027 school year is officially OPEN and will close on May 15, 2026.
Eligible teachers can apply, interview, and accept one transfer for the upcoming school year.
Applications must be submitted through acpsd.net > Join our Team!
Take time to explore your options and find the best fit for you!
We’re excited to announce our Annual Hiring Event on January 31, 2026 at Aiken High School!
Join us for a one-stop-shop experience in the gymnasium, where all 43 of our school locations will be represented. Whether you're a traditional pathway teacher or a current South Carolina educator looking to transfer, this is the perfect opportunity to explore your next career move. (This event is not intended for current Aiken County teachers.)
You could even walk out with a job offer on the spot!
Location: Aiken High School Gym
Date: January 31, 2026
Mark your calendar and take the first step toward a rewarding future with Aiken County Public Schools.
We are excited to welcome our students, staff, and families back to school as we kick off a new year and a new semester. January is a fresh start and full of opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve together. As we return to our classrooms, we look forward to continued collaboration, renewed focus, and celebrating the success ahead. Let's make this semester a strong one!
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #BackToSchool
We’re Hiring… and You’re Invited!
Join us for the ACPSD Hiring Event on January 31, 2026 | 8 AM–12 PM
Aiken High School – 449 Rutland Drive, Aiken, SC
Ready to make a move for 2025–26 or 2026–27? We’ve got current vacancies and certified/teaching openings waiting for amazing people like YOU!
Pre-registration is preferred (and makes you a superstar!)
Application required for an interview — don’t skip this step!
Come meet our team, explore opportunities, and take the next step in your journey with ACPSD.
Register now and apply today!
ACPSD offices will be closed beginning December 21 and will reopen January 5, 2026. During this time, our team will be enjoying a well-earned, restful break—one of the many benefits of working for our district.
We look forward to returning refreshed and ready to serve our students, families, and community in the new year. Thank you for a wonderful 2025!
This break is well earned. Take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments of joy and renewal. We can’t wait to return refreshed and ready to shine even brighter in 2026.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
As we head into the final stretch before winter break, we want to pause and say thank you for an incredible 2025. This year was filled with dedication, growth, teamwork, and countless moments that made a real difference for our students and our community. Your commitment, resilience, and care do not go unnoticed, and they are the reason our schools continue to thrive.
As you wrap up the week and look ahead to a well-deserved break, we hope you take pride in all that was accomplished together. Here’s to rest, reflection, and returning refreshed for what’s ahead.
At ACPSD, we believe supporting our employees is essential to the work we do every day. Our benefits include health and dental insurance, meaningful growth opportunities, annual step increases, and a rewarding career serving students and our community. Employees also enjoy extended time off, including two weeks at winter break, a week at spring break, and 24 holidays for year-round employees, along with perks through community partnerships. It’s one of the many ways we invest in our people, today and for the future.
Work For Us Wednesday | We're Hiring School Social Workers! |
Aiken County Public Schools is seeking compassionate and dedicated Social Workers to join our team for the 2025–2026 school year.
Social Workers play a vital role in supporting the emotional, social, and academic success of our students by bridging school, home, and community resources.
If you're ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families, apply today!
As we step into the final week before Winter break, we’re celebrating over 600 Shine Shout Outs shared since July! Your teamwork, positivity, and dedication have been the gift that keeps on giving across Aiken County Public Schools.
Let’s keep shining, keep encouraging one another, and finish 2025 strong. Your light makes all the difference!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Leslie Fielder
Division of Instruction
Student Information System Coordinator
"Thank you for this recognition, I work with a great team."
Leslie Fielder has consistently gone above and beyond in her support. Whether it’s through phone calls, emails, or Teams messages, she is always responsive, kind, and incredibly helpful.
Despite the many demands on her time, she remains patient and solutions oriented. She never hesitates to assist with issues, either big or small, and her dedication ensures that our virtual program runs smoothly. Working in a district-wide virtual program that serves students in grades 6–12 presents unique challenges that often differ from those in traditional school settings. Leslie not only understands these differences but also meets them with flexibility, insight, and unwavering support. Her ability to adapt and assist with our specific needs has made a tremendous impact on our team and the students we serve.
Thank you to our November Employee of the Month Ms. Leslie Fielder for demonstrating excellence as an employee of ACPSD! We appreciate all you do!
Did you know ACPSD employees can flash their badge for FREE admission to regular season ACPSD sporting events?
Senior Perk Alert!
“Senioritis” is officially welcome! With our Golden Circle Club, Aiken County residents 60+ can enjoy complimentary admission to regular season games across the district.
Note: Jamborees, Playoffs, State Championship Playoffs, and Tournaments are excluded.
Whether you’re cheering as an employee or as a Golden Circle member, there’s a seat waiting for YOU in the stands!
As we step into the most wonderful time of the year, our hearts are full of gratitude for the incredible staff across Aiken County Public Schools. Even on the rainiest days, your dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment shine brighter than ever.
Thank you for the care you bring to our students, to each other, and to our community. You make this season and every season meaningful.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Whether you traveled from the far reaches of our county or adventured well beyond it, we’re grateful to see everyone return rested and ready. Thank you for your continued dedication as we move into the remainder of the school year, your commitment makes all the difference for our students and community.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for our remarkable ACPSD employees whose hard work, care, and teamwork inspire excellence across our district. Your impact extends far beyond the classroom, thank you for all you do to support our students and one another.
