School District Five Social Studies Coordinator Melony Sanford has been named the recipient of this year’s Charles F. Vaughan Leadership in Social Studies Award by the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies (SCCSS).
The award recognizes K–12 educators in South Carolina who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to the field of social studies. Aimed at honoring mid-career or continuing-career educators, it celebrates those who go above and beyond to inspire students, support colleagues, and advance social studies education in their schools and communities.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized as the recipient of the Charles F. Vaughan Leadership in Social Studies Award by the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies,” Sanford said. “I enjoy working with teachers in our amazing district to support great social studies instruction, and also collaborating with social studies leaders across the state to support and promote social studies education.”
Sanford is in her 24th year in education and has served as School District Five’s Social Studies Coordinator since 2013. Prior to that role, she was a high school social studies teacher in Richland School District One. She received her award on November 14 during the SCCSS annual conference in Greenville.
“In her role as Social Studies Coordinator, Melony Sanford has exemplified exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision,” Chief of Academics Tina McCaskill said. “She has not only inspired her colleagues but also created an environment where students thrive in understanding the world around them. This leadership award is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless commitment to educational excellence and her unwavering passion for enriching our curriculum.”
