Georgetown adult education director retires Friday
Last Updated on 3/17/2010
Published on 5/26/2009
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
In 1990, the adult education program in Georgetown County was a fraction of what it is today.
The classes were squeezed into three rooms of the Bynum Education Center (now the County Sheriff's Office) on Fraser Street.
Since the program was not promoted much, there were not as many students enrolled in the program as today.
Graduation ceremonies for those who earned their degrees or GEDs did not exist.
Then, in December, 1990, the district hired Marshall Lynn Kirtley as the director of adult and community education.
Since then, adult education in Georgetown County has not been the same.
Kirtley -- who retires Friday -- came to the county with years of educational experience which began in West Virginia where he worked as a teacher, counselor, basketball coach and a school administrator.
He also worked in adult education for the West Virginia Education Department.
In 1986, seeking a change of pace, Kirtley moved to Myrtle Beach where he and a friend opened a car rental business.
Realizing he missed the education field, Kirtley applied for a job in Brunswick, N.C. He was hired to work in a special education class.
At night he worked at the Brunswick Community College.
The commute from Surfside Beach was tiring and expensive, so Kirtley decided to look for a job closer to home.
He worked as an administrator in Horry County for two years before being hired in Georgetown County.
A new career
Once Kirtley took over the local adult education program, he knew it could become a much bigger asset to the school district and county.
Three years after being named director, Kirtley knew more space was needed but he had no clue where a suitable facility could be found.
Kirtley drove by the former Howard High School -- which, at that time, was abandoned -- several times and finally decided it would be a great place to relocate. After getting the blessing of the superintendent and school board, Kirtley wasted no time getting into the new facility.
Since the adult education program had much more space, new programs were added. It expanded to five days per week and now offers classes four nights each week.
When Kirtley was hired, the school served 123 students. Now, more than 1,000 adults each year go through the program.
Kirtley also wanted to honor the adults who completed the program and earned their GED or diploma. In 1994, he organized the first-ever adult education graduation ceremony.
He said he felt graduation ceremonies for adults are important because "it sends a signal to others who have not completed school."
He said every year, he receives calls from some people who were in the audience at a graduation ceremony who were inspired by what they saw and want to earn their diploma or GED.
"It also gives the graduates the recognition they deserve," he said.
Kirtley said other adult education programs across the state has followed Georgetown's lead and now hold graduations at their schools.
Other programs that have been created under Kirtley's watch include:
* The first adult program Teacher of the Year.
* The first-ever training for teachers through the College of Charleston and the Citadel.
* The GED "fast track" program through Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
* Being a part of Adult Education Honor Society.
* Scholarships for graduates.
* Vocational rehabilitation programs.
Kirtley said convincing adults the importance of completing their education has been one of his main goals.
"Learning is a lifelong process. In this fast changing world, there are always new skills to be acquired, new subjects to be mastered and new sights to be gained," he said.
He will be missed
Kirtley has watched more than 1,700 adults successfully complete their education during his tenure but now, he said, is the right time to move into the next phase of his life.
After working in education for more than three decades he said he wants to see what else he can accomplish but he will miss his friends and co-workers.
"They have all been like a family. Not just the staff, but the students," he said.
Quentin Duncan, a current student at the school, said Kirtley is one of the main reasons he decided to go back to school.
"He gives us all the opportunity to succeed in life. I don't know how things will be after he leaves. It will be hard to follow in his footsteps," Duncan said.
Shatara Jenkins, who completed the program this year, said Kirtley makes all the students feel welcome and important.
"He always greeted me in the morning ad encouraged me to work and finish," she said. "He was always concerned with each student's progress and make sure they stay focussed."
Howard Adult Center's 2009 graduation ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday in the school's gymnasium.
