Darian Byrd, PhD

Experience

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  Goodberrys Creamery

  Feb 1992 - Jul 1994

  Supervisor

  • Trained and supervised over 20 entry level employees• Prepared plans to ensure proper business operations such as scheduling and ordering inventory• Received 3 promotions during 2 year tenure at the company• Completed cash reconciliation and labor expense paperwork regularly as I was responsible to opening and closing the store.

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  Angus Barn

  Mar 1994 - Aug 1996

  Server

  · Provided world class customer service for this five-star 780 seat fine-dining restaurant · Trained in all aspects of restaurant operations · Conducted wine cellar and restaurant tours · Developed communications with all levels of the company

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  Southern Wesleyan University

  Aug 1996 - Jun 1999

  Admissions Counselor

  - Responsible for the Eastern North Carolina area; Frequently traveled to meet with prospective students and participate in College recruitment events- Evaluated graduate applicants based on graduate admission guidelines. - Provided prospective student information sessions during campus visits. - Reviewed transcripts, other materials submitted by applicants. - Contributed to the development of admissions . - Assisted students through the admissions process. - Worked with the Director of Admissions Show less

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  Berea Middle School at Greenville County Schools

  Jul 1999 - Jun 2002

  • Implemented various classroom management techniques for maintaining student attention, involvement and discipline.• Partnered with parents in students’ success; provided feedback on students’ progress and to discuss areas needing improvement and additional work.• Served on committee that developed and implemented a plan for block scheduling in 2001.• Assistant Marching Band Director at Berea High School Thankful to Lillie Lewis for taking a chance on a new teacher that desperately needed a job late in the summer! I will never forget that first interview and touring the school with Mrs. Lewis. Thanks again Prof. Lewis!

  • Band Director / General Music Teacher / Orchestra Director / 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

    Jul 2000 - Jun 2002

  • Choral Teacher / General Music Teacher - Parker Middle School

    Jul 1999 - Jun 2000
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  Brushy Creek Baptist Church

  Jun 2000 - May 2017

  Orchestra Director

  While serving the students in the schools of Pickens County and Easley, I continue to serve through church music. I was on staff as the Orchestra Director at Brushy Creek Baptist Church from 2000-2017. I taught the Orchestra and then performed on piano or drums with them each Sunday. While I am no longer on the Brushy Creek staff, I can be found at churches throughout the area subbing in when there are musical needs. • Responsible for planning and preparing music each week for the orchestra that accompanies the Celebration Choir. • Interim Choir Director, August 2009 – March 2010• Music Minister Search Committee Member, September 2004 – October 2006 and August 2009 – March 2010• Assistant Orchestra Director, July 1999 – August 2001• 2nd Grade Sunday School Teacher, July 1999 – August 2001• 6 –12 Grade Youth Choir Director, October 1999 – August 2001 Show less

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  School District of Pickens County

  Jul 2002 - now

  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 chief communication strategist on SDPC initiatives, goals and priorities with focus on forward- looking message and communications planning. Our department communicates and represents the District’s vision and perspective internally and to the general public/community, as designated by the Superintendent. I develop, direct, and evaluate the District’s public relations, marketing, communications, and public affairs strategy; execute effective campaigns/programs on a local, state, and national basis, with major emphasis on employee communications and communications between the District and the community. This means working collaboratively with the Leadership Team and other key stakeholders to provide public relations counsel and direction and setting the vision for and leading the Communications Team, including internal communications, media relations, social media, SDPC websites, marketing, and strategic communications. Show less I served as the Public Information Office (PIO) for SDPC, leading the communications department by establishing communications, public relations, and public engagement processes throughout the district. I also continued serving as the administrator for the elementary portion of the Pickens County Virtual Academy during this time. As a member of the superintendent’s senior leadership team, I was 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.Our department oversees communications support to the school system, out-reach to families and engagement with the public. We provide senior-level communications and public relations counsel to the superintendent, the superintendent’s senior staff, and the school system; and develop and oversee strategic messaging to parents and the community through a variety of programs. We proactively deliver communications on behalf of the school system. Show less Served as Principal at Forest Acres for 10.5 years. I was honored to serve the community that I lived (and am currently still a resident) in. • Facilitate faculty and staff of 86 professionals and classes consisting of up to 740 students for grades K4 – 5th. • Plan daily school activities by the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules.• Developed a student discipline management system that resulted in positive student behavior and a decrease in student referrals.• Provide leadership and administration to motivate instructional and support personnel to strive for superior performance so as to provide the best possible opportunities for student growth and development, both educationally and personally.• Develop budgets and financial forecasts for the purpose of providing financial guidance and recommendations to administrative personnel, Superintendent and School Board.• Utilize multiple assessments in compliance with district and state requirements to inform instruction including administration of MAP, ITBS, CogAT, ELDA, SCREADY and SCPASS.• Encourage and support innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences including cooperative learning and differentiation. • Ensured compliances with laws, regulations, rules and policies prescribed by the School District of Pickens County. • Ensure that all facilities are operated effectively and efficiently and work to see that applicable health and safety standards are met. • Perform safety inspections, review emergency procedures and provide regular drills for emergencies and disasters.• Establish schedules and procedures for the supervision of students in non-classroom areas.• Observe employee performance, recorded observations, and conduct evaluation conferences. (ADEPT, SAFE-T) Show less Served as Assistant Principal under the leadership of Mrs. Tammy Day, Principal of East End Elementary.• Facilitate faculty and staff of 70 professionals and classes consisting of 740+ students for grades K4 – 5th. • Utilize multiple assessments in compliance with district and state requirements to inform instruction including administration of MAP, ITBS, CogAT, ELDA, and PASS.• Encourage and support innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences including cooperative learning and differentiation. • Ensured compliances with laws, regulations, rules and policies prescribed by the School District of Pickens County. • Ensure that all facilities are operated effectively and efficiently and work to see that applicable health and safety standards are met. • Perform safety inspections, review emergency procedures and provide regular drills for emergencies and disasters.• Communicate student needs and safety concerns with agencies such as DSS and Behavioral Services (ScIP)• Establish schedules and procedures for the supervision of students in non-classroom areas.• Observe employee performance, recorded observations, and conduct evaluation conferences. (ADEPT, SAFE-T)• Helped plan daily school activities by participating in the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules.• Helped develop a student discipline management system that resulted in positive student behavior and a decrease in student referrals.• Help in sure that School records and reports have been maintained, monitored, interpreted and communicated in a timely and appropriate manner.• Aid in the selection and utilization of instructional materials and supplies (textbooks and other materials). • Work with School Improvement Council and PTO • Use technology skills to prepare reports and correspondence in attractive and eye-catching formats. Show less • Utilized various methods of instruction to enrich lessons and curriculum. • Successfully maintained classroom structure while conducting small and large group instruction.• Recruited and taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade bands, involving 160 - 180 students. • Increased parental involvement by consulting with parents regularly.• Approved fund raising activities and completed appropriate request forms, coordinating with the Principal and staff.• Contributed to a significant increase in student performances resulting in first SUPERIOR rating from the South Carolina Band Director’s Association in Liberty Middle School’s history.Highlighted Achievements • Teacher of the Year ’04 – ‘05• After School Tutoring Program Administrator (over 5th – 8th grades) ’05 - ‘07 o Provided instructional and administration leadership for the after-school tutoring program, during the first semester, the program more than doubled in size from 32 to 80 served. The overarching goal of the program was to assist all students and develop skills and knowledge to benefit PACT results for each student served. o Responsible for developing and implementing the program o Recruited and supervised up to twenty-four teachers o Managed a $60,000 budget and payroll o Managed student discipline and transportation• Related Arts Team Leader ’05 – ’06, ’06 – ‘07• Developed an improved schoolwide dismissal plan that was implemented in 2006• Interview Committee Member for Media Specialist and Choral Music position• United Way Chairperson ‘06 o Promoted fundraising campaign and exceeded schoolwide goal by 19%• Pickens County District Teacher of the Year selection committee member • School District of Pickens County Teacher Forum Member • “Red Carpet Schools” Committee member• Master Scheduling Committee Member ’06 – ‘07 Show less

  • Chief Communications Officer

    Jun 2023 - now

  • Director Of Communications and Virtual Learning (PCVA)

    May 2021 - Jun 2023

  • Director - Pickens County Virtual Academy

    Jan 2021 - Jun 2023

  • Principal - Forest Acres Elementary

    Jul 2010 - Jan 2021

  • Assistant Principal - East End Elementary

    Jul 2007 - Jun 2010

  • Band Director / After School Director - Liberty Middle School

    Jul 2002 - Jul 2007