Dean Celebrates Career of Richmond County Educator

Aiken, SC (10/07/2020) — Graduating from college is a special milestone in a student's life, one celebrated by family and friends and filled with the hope of a promising career.

Dr. Judy Beck, the dean of the School of Education, helped celebrate this special occasion with one graduate - almost 40 years after the fact.

MaryJo Weegar, a first-grade teacher in Richmond County, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1981; however, at the time, her family did not have the resources to have a big event marking the accomplishment. Recently, her husband, Tim, felt it was high time the career educator got the recognition she deserved 39 years ago and asked for Beck's support.

"Tim reached out to me and asked if I'd take part in a special event celebrating his wife and the difference she's made in the lives of hundreds of young students," Beck said.

"Every graduation is special, but this was truly a very unique ceremony."

For months, Weegar secretly planned a COVID-conscious event that celebrated his wife and her longstanding commitment to education.

"The visual on MaryJo's face, seeing [Dr. Beck] in USC full academic regalia will be priceless, not to mention her ring presentation," this devoted husband said while planning the event.

"[MaryJo] is clueless. I can't wait."

After much anticipation, the big day arrived, and a very special brunch was held in her honor at Augustinos Restaurant's private dining room in the Augusta Marriot Hotel and Convention Center. The festivities culminated when Beck made a special presentation.

"Dr. Judy Beck, USC-Aiken, dean of the School of Education, gave an outstanding presentation of her 1981 USC college ring to include the history and meaning of academic graduation regalia," Tim said.

A small group of close friends and family were on hand when Beck presented MaryJo her college class ring. Tim designed the ring personally and was beside himself with anticipation before presenting it to her.

The custom-made ring includes the UofSC seal and motto, which are found on the degree MaryJo received in 1981. The university's motto is "Emollit Mores Nec Sinet Esse Feros," written by the Latin poet, Ovid. Translated, it means "Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel."

Those who have worked closely with her say MaryJo, born and raised in Barnwell, SC, embodies character and kindness while sharing knowledge and ensuring learning among her students.

"I got to observe the love, dedication, and compassion of her teaching," said Mary Braswell, an administrator.

"She truly loves her students and strives to ensure they obtain the skills to be successful."

"She has a servant's heart and often spends her own money to meet the needs of her students. She seeks out grants to not only support her own classroom but the entire school."

In 2010, MaryJo wrote a grant for a Parent Learning Room, or PLR. She submitted it to Lowe's Home Improvement. The company awarded her a $5,000 grant which was used to transform a teacher's room into what she called a "House of LEARNING." A plaque hangs right outside the door signifying it as such.

The PLR was created to provide parents a private and comfortable setting where they could hone their own reading and writing skills. That way they can effectively help their children develop the same skills at home. Through this effort, several parents earned their GEDs. The space was outfitted with comfortable chairs and tables for the parents who enjoyed snacks, coffee and other amenities while working to improve themselves and their families.

She also wrote other grants that would benefit her students. While teaching in Aiken County, MaryJo wrote several $10,000 State of South Carolina grants to promote reading and writing for her students. She also wrote several $500 Savannah River Site grants to promote math and science learning for her students.

Braswell adds that MaryJo's desire to share her love of teaching doesn't stop with her students - or their parents. It is also evident by how she mentors new educators.

"I honestly can't even express how much my friendship with MaryJo has impacted me," said Carlina Long at Copeland Elementary.

The two met when a former principal paired Weegar as a mentor with Long who was a first-year teacher at the time. Long says she's been grateful ever since.

"Truthfully, MaryJo's encouragement is one of the main reasons that I am still a teacher. I almost gave up so many times," Long said.

As a mentor, Weegar had to observe Long in the classroom and provide feedback.

"Every observation she would point out how well I did, and she would tell me to keep with it.

"Even though I felt like the worst teacher, and I felt undeserving of her praise, I always had MaryJo's voice in my head telling me that I was good at teaching and that I loved my students.

"I think the reason her words meant so much to me was because everyone knows how amazing an educator she is, and if someone with that much talent believed in me, then what she was saying had to be true."

The class ring is often a symbol worn to showcase the achievement of a degree. For MaryJo, it may remind her of the impact she's had in the classroom in almost four decades.

"She is one of the most genuine people I have ever met," said Yvonne Mailhot, a colleague at Copeland Elementary School in Augusta.

"Her passion and compassion for her students are inspirations. She is kind, generous and gracious in all that she does."

"It is obvious, in the short time I've known her, that she does all things for the betterment of her students and Copeland."

"She always has a kind word for everyone, she appreciates the people around her, and I'm very lucky to have landed at Copeland to meet and work with her."

After graduating from UofSC in Columbia, MaryJo was initially hired as a substitute teacher for half a school year before being offered a full-time position with the Aiken County School District. She taught for a number of years in the school that was repurposed and now serves as the Aiken County Library on Chesterfield Street, downtown.

After several years with Aiken Elementary both in the Chesterfield and Pine Log Road locations, MaryJo was recruited to "assist leadership with challenging opportunities in the classroom" at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School in Aiken. While there, she earned Teacher of the Year honors for 1999.

In 2000, the veteran educator transferred to Copeland Elementary School in Augusta's inner city.

"She continues making life changing differences for children at Copeland Elementary School who are challenged by socio-economic conditions," said MaryJo's proud husband.

She's earned Teacher of the Year recognition there too.

Her impact goes beyond the desks in her classroom, the PLR, or in the classes of those she's mentored. MaryJo has written a book, The World's Greatest Teacher: A True Story About My Dad.

"It's very inspirational with a lot of underlying messages for the attentive reader," husband, Tim, says.

"Have tissues ready."

The book gives the reader a glimpse into the challenges MaryJo's family experienced while she was a student in Columbia and a young college graduate, embarking on what would become an impactful career. After enriching the lives of so many by her dedication to serving others through teaching, Tim decided to honor his wife by celebrating her graduation - almost 40 years in the making. He came up with the brunch and meticulously planned each detail, in addition to having her custom ring made.

"MaryJo will be in shock for many days," he said after the special ceremony and ring presentation by Beck.

"This is a lasting memory of her teaching journey of life."

Media Attachments