Press Release
Columbia, SC – Whitmore School (SCWS), is a virtual public charter high school and member school of the SC Public Charter School District. In July of 2021, SC Whitmore School announced Kim Dunbar as the Executive Director and Eboné Adams as the Principal of SCWS. For the first time in school history, two women were in the top levels of leadership. They both have a background in school counseling, and to this day, they are certified school counselors.
Dunbar graduated from the University of South Carolina twice earning her bachelor's degree in Experimental Psychology and her Ed.S in School Counseling. She also earned her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Capella University. Dunbar is a certified Career Development Facilitator as well. She has worked as a school counselor for more than nine years.
“I've always worked with the youth of South Carolina in the different roles I have held over the years,” said Dunbar. “I've served as a line therapist, assistant director of a summer and after school program, program interviewer for the University of South Carolina to enhance the health of students, and as a school counselor. Having the opportunity to work with students, families, and the community at large has been very impactful. My current role as Executive Director allows me to combine those experiences to advocate for not only the families and students but faculty and staff as well. I'm thankful for my training as a school counselor and feel it has served me well.”
Adams graduated from the College of Charleston and earned her Ed.S. in School Counseling from the University of South Carolina. She has worked in school counseling for six years and in leadership for more than seven years.
Mrs. Adams said, “My interest in the School Counseling realm derived from my passion for student advocacy. A student’s mental, emotional, social, and academic well being is essential in our youth’s development. It is our job as educators to take a holistic approach and create opportunities for growth and learning. My Ed.S background enhanced my knowledge and skills in leadership, advocacy, and research. Working as a School Counselor first taught me how to build rapport with students and parents and evaluate strategies and interventions that will support the needs of students to help them achieve success in school as well as life beyond school. All of these experiences and skills have translated into my administrative role and I continue to learn new things everyday.”
Mental health is one factor that students and the community continue to highlight. With SC Whitmore School's leadership having a background in counseling they are able to help support not only the students but the faculty and staff as the school continues to educate the youth of South Carolina. In the summer before the 2020-2021 school year SC Whitmore School partnered with DialCare, a virtual mental health counseling platform, that allowed students to receive counseling regardless of their location in the state. SCWS covered the full cost of this platform and in 2021-2022 began coverage for every faculty and staff member as well. “We knew how important having access to mental health resources and counseling was,” said Dunbar. “The pandemic really brought that to the forefront for not only our students and families, but faculty and staff as well. We decided as a school that we would ensure that everyone at SCWS would have the assurance that they could seek help at no cost,” said Dunbar.
Under the leadership of Dunbar and Adams, SC Whitmore School continues to make history. As of January 2023, the school has now helped more than 1,000 students successfully graduate high school in South Carolina and earn thousands of dollars in scholarships.
As SCWS continues to grow, its leadership will continue to use its skills on all levels to support the SC Whitmore School community and beyond.
If you are interested in learning more about the SC Whitmore School, please visit us online at scwhitmoreschool.org.
