Darian Byrd

Background

About Darian Byrd

I serve the School District of Pickens County as the Chief Communications Officer. As a member of the superintendent’s senior leadership team, I am involved in every aspect of the school system from academics to construction and all business operations to better understand, shape, and articulate the messaging, as well as identify opportunities for community collaboration which enable SDPC to best serve its students. I serve as the Public Information Office (PIO) for SDPC, leading the communications department by establishing communications, public relations, and public engagement processes throughout the district. From March 2021 - June 2023, in addition to Communications, I also managed the day to day operational, instructional program, and support systems of the Pickens County Virtual Academy (PCVA). In this role, I- managed Elementary PCVA operations including student discipline, attendance, and supervision- led discussions about the program operations (delivery system, hardware, and staffing). Led student recruiting efforts for the PCVA - Designed, developed, and managed the school master schedule in coordination with all levels of education.(Elementary, Middle, High, Pickens County Career & Technology Center, and Special Education)- Acted as a liaison to ensure that technology needs, electronic textbooks, instructional software, and equipment inventories are accounted for by student and staff involved in PCVA. Until Jan. 2021, I served as Principal at Forest Acres Elementary in Easley, SC for 10.5 years. Before my appointment to FAE, I spent 3 years as Assistant Principal at East End Elementary, also in Easley. I also have served as band director at Liberty Middle School and taught band, chorus, strings and even social studies at Berea High, and Berea and Parker Middle Schools in Greenville, South Carolina. While student teaching, I also gained experience at Daniel High, Easley High, and R.C. Edwards Middle schools in Pickens County. I have lived in Easley for the past 25 years. After attending North Carolina State University, I transferred to Southern Wesleyan University and graduated with a B.A. degree in Music Education. I then received a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Clemson University. I also hold an Educational Specialist degree from Clemson. While I no longer teach music on a daily basis, I can often be found playing piano, drums, guitar, and even tuba at local churches and events whenever I can. I am also currently working on a PhD in Education at Clemson University.