Biography
This is my first year at GMC, and I am so excited to be here! I am originally from Clinton, SC. I received my BA from Clemson in 2002 in Secondary Education-Mathematics and my M.Ed. in 2004 in Administration and Supervision. In 2008, I received my Ed.S. from USC in Educational Administration, and in 2010 I received my Ph.D. in Educational Administration also from USC. I taught math and coached cheerleading at Woodruff High School in Spartanburg Disrict 4 for 3 years. I then taught math (AP Stats & Algebra 2) and coached cheerleading at JL Mann High School in Greenville County for 3 years. I spent the last 4 years as the Assistant Principal at Laurens Middle School in Laurens District 55.
My husband, Josh, and I live in Fountain Inn. Our daughter, Campbell, is in K5 at Rudolph Gordon Elementary School. Our son, Thomas, is almost 2 years old and goes to daycare.
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, learning about education, and shopping!
Educational Background & Philosophy
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a teacher. I would play “school” for hours with friends and stuffed animals. In high school I often tutored others and decided to become a math teacher. While at Clemson, I provided supplemental instruction for Chemistry 101 (as it has lots of math). Between my junior and senior years at Clemson, I taught at a boarding school in Massachusetts and learned a lot about myself and about teaching. Through the years, I began to realize I wanted to make a bigger impact on the lives of students and that I could do that in administration. My first year in administration was “trial by fire,” and I learned a great deal about emergency situations, myself as a leader, and what students need to be successful. I love learning, and I take advantage of any opportunity to increase my knowledge. I believe that the teacher in the classroom is the single greatest factor in a student’s success. It is my job as an administrator to minimize outside distractions, assist with classroom management, help obtain resources, and provide instructional leadership (among other things). I am thrilled to be a part of the great things happening at GMC. This innovative structure has endless possibilities, and I am proud to be part of providing choice and unique educational opportunities to students.
Contact Me For Questions Regarding:
- 504s
- Academic Intervention
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Discipline (Tardy policy, cell phone policy, etc.)
- Dress Code
- Safety
- Special Education
- Textbooks (High School only)
Contact Information
Phone: 864-469-7571
Fax: 864-469-7573
Email: aballard@greermiddlecollege.org
Availability
I work each day from 7:30 to 4:00 or later. I am outside for duty from 7:30-8:00 each morning and from 3:00-3:30 each afternoon. In addition, I am on the deck during all 3 lunches (roughly 11:15-1:30). The best way to reach me during the day is by email. I respond to all emails and phone calls as quickly as possible.
