Harleyville Elementary School is proud to recognize the tremendous efforts of Mrs. Dawn Stanley, a dedicated and beloved volunteer whose work has significantly enriched the literacy experiences of students across multiple grade levels. Mrs. Stanley has become a cherished member of the HES family, known for her creativity, commitment, and heartfelt service to children and teachers alike.
Second-grade teacher Mrs. Manda Elmore, who co-teaches with Mrs. Brittany Washington, recently highlighted the impact Mrs. Stanley has had on their students. Earlier this school year, Mrs. Stanley planned and led an engaging unit on owls for both classes. Students participated in activities such as dissecting owl pellets, viewing educational videos, listening to owl calls, and enjoying a live owl presentation in the gymnasium, courtesy of Ms. Lila Arnold from LowCountry Raptors, who visited the school free of charge.
More recently, Mrs. Stanley dedicated 12 consecutive days to conducting a classroom read-aloud of the classic novel Charlotte’s Web in Mrs. Elmore’s class. Each day featured themed treats she personally baked, literacy-based activities, and dynamic discussion. Every student received their own copy of the book to keep. “This is one chapter book all students should read,” Mrs. Elmore shared. “It’s rich in vocabulary, emotion, and life lessons, and nearly every reading strategy can be modeled through its pages.”
Mrs. Stanley’s contributions, however, go far beyond second grade. Since 2017, she and her husband, Tom, have worked tirelessly to support early literacy at HES. What began with book donations and classroom lending libraries quickly evolved into a school-wide movement. Recognizing that there are no public libraries or bookstores in Ridgeville or Harleyville, the Stanleys began sending home themed reading materials, activity kits, and parent resources. They coordinated with Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, Special Education, and eventually, all primary grades to ensure children had regular access to books and educational enrichment.
Theme weeks became a cornerstone of Mrs. Stanley’s outreach. Students were immersed in topics such as bugs, dinosaurs, ocean life, poetry, fairy tales, and more. Lessons extended beyond the classroom, with vocabulary-rich take-home resources, thematic snacks, crafts, games, and even tree saplings donated by local energy companies.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the landscape of education, the Stanleys adapted by creating themed “To Go Bags” filled with books, prepped activities, and supplies, ensuring that learning continued at home.
In partnership with the organization Books and Beyond, Mrs. Stanley has also helped bring free book fairs to HES students. Since 2023, every child at the school has had the opportunity to choose and keep multiple books, participate in a school-wide story walk, and enter raffles for prizes, removing financial barriers to building a home library.
Beyond the classroom, her commitment is personal. Mrs. Stanley shared that her late mother, who passed away at 95, was her greatest inspiration, a woman who believed deeply in the power of words and demonstrated the joy of daily reading to her children.
“Mrs. Stanley is more than a volunteer,” said Mrs. Elmore. “She is a champion for children and a living example of the difference one person can make in a community.”
Dorchester School District Four and the Harleyville Elementary School community extend their heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Dawn Stanley for her enduring dedication, creativity, and advocacy for literacy. Her work continues to leave a lasting legacy in the lives of students and families.