Personal Biography:

I have lived in the Lugoff-Elgin area since I was in the sixth grade and I graduated from Lugoff-ELgin High School. I’m happy to be teaching in my “hometown”. I was originally born in Apopka, Florida but have lived in South Carolina since I was just a toddler and am proud to call this state home. I have a teenager of my own, Jacob, who is now an LEHS alumni and a sophomore in college. My husband, Jerry, and I have been married for 23 years. Jerry works at the Riverbanks Zoo in horticulture (plants). We love spending quality time with our son gardening, swimming, boating, camping and reading.

Let me add a side note to my bio – in March 2003, I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. I had surgery and radiation. Two years later, in 2005, I was rediagnosed and underwent a second surgery to remove more lymph nodes in my neck.  Then in August 2015, I was dianosed for a third time and underwent a third, much more extensive surgery to remove all the lymph nodes in the right side of my neck.  Let me explain why I’m telling you this now. My scar is visible and your child will probably ask me what it is from and I was brought up with three extremely important mottos. “Don’t Lie, Steal, or Cheat”. Therefore I will tell them the truth – I want them to know that not everyone “dies” from cancer. Medical practices have come a long way and the type of cancer I had is very “beatable”. Thank you for understanding that what has happened to me (whether I like it or not) is a part of who I am.

Teaching Biography:

I have been teaching for 21 years, nineteen of which have been here in Kershaw County. My first two years I taught in Sumter District Two at Oakland Primary School (behind Shaw Air Force Base). My first two years I taught first grade, my last twenty years have been in third grade (at Stover and Doby’s Mill).

Education Mission:

I believe every child can learn (at their own pace). I present a caring, inviting, loving, organized environment to foster the social, emotional, and educational growth of your child.

Your Partner in Education,

Mrs. Rebecca M. Thrall