Administration

Vicki Kirby's journey as an educator got started by accident. But looking back over the past 36 years, she couldn't imagine doing anything else. After spending 32 years as a teacher, principal, and associated superintendent in South Carolina, Kirby's journey let her to little Pate Gardner Elementary. "This is my dream job," said Kirby. "I am here because this is exactly what I want to be doing." For doing her "dream job," Kirby was selected as the Sandhills Regional Principal of the Year for 2008.

"I am so pleased to have been selected as the regional principal of the year because it gives me the opportunity to represent all the good principals in Scotland County and the region. I want to thank all of my teachers. The teachers here at Pate Gardner have everything to do with this award. All I have to do is be here to fight for them and lead them."

According to the students at the school, the selection committee could not have made a better choice. "We think Mrs. Kirby is the best principal in the world," said first graders Courtney Carterand Angel Holley. "She is so nice to everyone."