FLORENCE -- As a parent, Sharon Dixon is responsible for the well being of her 17-year-old son. As principal of North Vista Elementary School, she feels responsible for the future of all 618 of her students.
A native of Marion and product of a single-parent home, Dixon said she feels honored to serve as a strong African-American role model in the North Florence community.
“I want them to see I am very much like them,” she said. “I am this community. I am this environment.”
Instead of just telling children about their potential, she shows them through her story.
Dixon attended Marion High School and went on to South Carolina State University for her undergraduate degree.
Originally a nursing major, she switched to education after volunteering at Felton Library School.
From there, she began working toward her master’s degree at Francis Marion University, taking evening classes while teaching at Delmae Heights.
After six years of teaching, Dixon decided she wanted to challenge herself further by going back to school to become an administrator.
She enrolled in the University of South Carolina’s Minority Administration Program and went on to work as an assistant principal and curriculum coordinator before becoming principal of North Vista in 1996.
Scott McKee, the instructional coach at North Vista and a 22-year employee of the school, said Dixon’s pleasant yet firm personality gave the school a “woman’s touch.”
“She brought discipline, procedures and high expectations to the school,” he said. “But most importantly, because of her background, she models it.”
In her current role as principal, Dixon said she’s seen growth in all areas.
“We have a road map now,” she said. “Our goals are to cultivate students of character, enhance problem solving, teach them to set goals for life and to place value on education.”
That might be a tall order, but Dixon’s personal and professional ambition make her a determined person.
“I’m very goal-oriented,” she said. “If I decide I’m going to do something, I’m gonna get it done regardless.”
McKee said it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see Dixon’s car still in the parking lot at 10 p.m. some days.
“She’s so dedicated to the job,” he said. “She’s the perfect example of what an administrator should be.”
Next up for Dixon is finishing her dissertation for her doctorate from Walden University.
She said she wants to teach her students that with education you can grow into whatever you want to be.
“Every day during the morning announcements I say, ‘The more you read, the more you know, and the more you know, the farther you’ll go,’” she said. “Success begins today.”
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