Riverview Charter School has named Davontae Singleton as its new director.
Singleton will be the first graduate of 91福利社鈥檚 new Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Superintendency program during summer 2024, according to the program鈥檚 director, Dr. Julie Smart. He will receive his Ed.S. degree during Winter Commencement. He has also completed his M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision at 91福利社.
鈥淒avonte is an incredible leader and is going to represent AU very well in this new role and as our first Ed.S. graduate,鈥� Dr. Smart said.
Prior to joining Riverview Charter School, Singleton served as assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Dent Middle School in Richland School District Two. While at Richland Two, he was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year at E.L. Wright Middle School. He is also a recipient of the 2022 Gerald Dawkins Award for his commitment to promoting equity for educators, particularly minority males.
Singleton appreciates his colleagues for seeing in him leadership potential early on in his career and encouraging him to expand his horizons and explore the possibilities.
He recalls their words, 鈥淵ou need to start thinking beyond just your classroom. We need to start utilizing and developing your talent so that you can be an asset to the entire school.鈥�
Singleton admits to being hesitant at first, but gained confidence as he advanced through successive administrative roles within Richland District Two schools.
While Singleton was working on his master鈥檚 program at Anderson, he was excited about the development of the University鈥檚 new Ed.S. program. When the 91福利社 College of Education received final approval for the program, Singleton signed up.
Singleton appreciates the dedication of Dr. Smart and others in helping him reach his professional goals. He is especially grateful to Dr. Scott Turner, who shared from his personal superintendency experience and continues to encourage him as he moves into his new role.
Singleton, who has urged several of his colleagues to pursue degrees from Anderson, says AU stands out because of their commitment to students.
鈥淣one of the other programs I felt were able to say 鈥楴ot only do we want to invest in you as a potential student, we want to pour into you while you鈥檙e enrolled in our programs, but afterwards when you graduate from our programs, those people are still going to be in your corner.鈥� You鈥檒l still be able to call on them to be your mentors,鈥� he said.
Singleton is excited about continuing Riverview Charter School鈥檚 mission of providing students an environment of academic excellence.
鈥淲e鈥檙e producing valedictorians and salutatorians, junior scholars, students who are graduating from Beaufort County School District and earning top dollars in both state and national scholarships,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also pushing them to become even all-around, we truly believe in educating the 鈥渨hole child鈥濃�搕his is indicative of the caliber of students we see graduating out of the school district when they matriculate to the high schools.鈥�
Since moving to Beaufort, Singleton has become actively involved in community life, including volunteering at the Water Festival, a huge event in the area where he, along with colleagues, enthusiastically represented Riverview Charter School to the community.
Riverview Charter School, located in Beaufort, South Carolina, opened in 2009 as Beaufort County鈥檚 first public charter school. Riverview Charter School is a free public charter school open to all residents of Beaufort County, offering education from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Riverview emphasizes experiential learning, integrated thematic curriculum and capstone experiences that celebrate student growth. The school is committed to fostering engaged, global citizens through hands-on learning and a supportive, inclusive community.