Wanda Tharpe Named New Principal of Dacusville Middle School

Wanda Tharpe has been chosen to lead Dacusville Middle School beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. Tharpe comes to DMS from Liberty Middle School, where she has served as an assistant principal since 2006. Prior to her time at LMS, she was a social studies teacher at Wren Middle School for ten years.

“I look forward to working with Mrs. Tharpe as principal of Dacusville Middle School. She is committed to public education and works well with students, parents, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Kelly Pew, district superintendent. “Wanda is uniquely qualified for the position with 17 years of experience in middle school education. She has proven herself as an educator and administrator during her time at Liberty Middle School, and we look forward to seeing her maintain a commitment to excellence at Dacusville Middle.”

“I’m grateful to Dr. Pew and the board for this leadership opportunity,” Tharpe said. “I look forward to becoming acquainted with the students, parents, and staff of Dacusville Middle, and I’m excited to begin working with the community to build strong relationships that will foster academic excellence in the future leaders of our county and state.”

As assistant principal at LMS, Tharpe led teachers in data-centered professional development meetings, and focused on easing the transition of students from elementary to middle to high schools.

She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Greenville Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in Social Studies from Clemson University, and a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Furman University. She is also a member of the South Carolina Middle School Association, the South Carolina Association for School Administration, the National and State Parent-Teacher Associations, and the AdvancEd Quality Assurance Review Team.
Tharpe will succeed Andy Hooker, who has accepted the position of principal of Hughes Academy of Science and Technology in Greenville County.