About Me

I can't believe this is my thirty-seventh year teaching, including my tenth year as a Challenge teacher, and I am excited to be back at Augusta Circle again this year! However, this year I am "semi-retired" and am only teaching one day each week--Wednesdays!  I am a native of Greenville and grew up going to Greenville County Schools. I have two daughters, Emily (32), and Lauren (35), who is married to Sean. I also have a grandson, Hayes, who is 4 1/2 years old; a granddaughter, Ellis, who is 2 years old; and a granddaugther, Bennett, who was born in March! Both of my daughters loved participating in the Challenge Program in Greenville County Schools many years ago.  

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl, so I received my B.A. and M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Columbia College and the University of South Carolina, respectively, (although I am a huge, life-long Clemson Tiger fan!).  In addition, I received my Gifted and Talented Endorsement from Furman University. Before teaching Challenge, I taught in the regular classroom for twenty-seven years, all  in third, fourth, or fifth grade. Four of those years (1990-1994), I was teaching 5th grade here at Augusta Circle! I took a break in the middle of those years and was a stay-at-home mom for five years. I have also taught at Oakview, Buena Vista, Bell's Crossing, Ellen Woodside, Mauldin Elementary, and in Richland District #2. In 2002-2003, I was very honored to be named a State Finalist for the PTA Teacher of the Year. 

In my spare time I love spending time with my grandchildren (and the rest of my family) and friends, traveling, playing handbells and directing weddings at my church, tending to my flowers in my yard, learning about American history, trivia, and watching Clemson football games! Go Tigers!

I am looking forward to getting to know your children this year!  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know at blide@greenville.k12.sc.us or (864) 355-1795.