Joy Moats, bookkeeper at R.C. Edwards Middle School, has been named the 2026–2027 School District of Pickens County (SDPC) Support Employee of the Year. Moats was announced as the district winner during the annual SDPC Support Employee and Teacher of the Year Banquet on August 25. The banquet celebrates outstanding teachers and support employees from across the district, recognizing their commitment to students, their schools, and the communities they serve.

As bookkeeper at R.C. Edwards, Mrs. Moats’ role reaches far beyond managing school finances. She purchases classroom supplies, helps coordinate field trips and conferences, assists with staff absences and substitute coverage, maintains school calendars, and helps staff members understand and appropriately manage their available funds.

She also stays current on financial policies and procedures to help ensure the school remains in compliance. Mrs. Moats describes her larger role more simply: making sure her coworkers have the resources and assistance they need to be successful.

That commitment to helping others is evident in moments that extend well beyond her regular responsibilities. Last summer, a father came to the school seeking help obtaining report cards for six students on his travel basketball team. The students needed the report cards to participate in a tournament beginning the next day. Understanding the opportunity the tournament represented for the students, Mrs. Moats made numerous phone calls until she reached every parent. Several came to the school to pick up the report cards, and, after work, she personally delivered the

remaining ones to ensure every student could participate.

When school resumed in the fall, several of the students stopped by to thank her. For some, the tournament had provided more than an opportunity to play basketball. It was the first time they had ever seen the beach. The experience demonstrated how what may seem like a small act of service can create an opportunity a student remembers for years.

That same spirit shapes the culture Mrs. Moats works to create at R.C. Edwards. Each summer, she prepares welcome bags with classroom supplies and other useful items for new staff members. Throughout the year, she organizes fundraisers for student incentives and finds ways to boost staff morale, whether through a breakfast, a treat cart, or even homemade ice cream. For Mrs. Moats, those simple acts of kindness help build relationships and make R.C. Edwards a place where people enjoy coming to work.

Dr. Amanda Plumblee, assistant principal at R.C. Edwards Middle School, said Mrs. Moats’ impact can be felt throughout the school community. “One of Joy’s greatest gifts is her ability to make people feel like they belong,” Plumblee wrote. She described Mrs. Moats as someone who makes people feel seen, appreciated, and important while approaching her work with accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.

Principal Thomas Preisig also praised Mrs. Moats’ professionalism, organization, and expertise, noting that her knowledge extends beyond R.C. Edwards. Other bookkeepers throughout the district frequently seek her out as a trusted resource when they need help solving problems.

Preisig also pointed to the many ways she serves beyond her official responsibilities, from helping with faculty events and school dances to offering a listening ear to colleagues.

Mrs. Moats’ ability to support colleagues also extends across schools. Mou Rangaraju, bookkeeper at D.W. Daniel High School, has worked closely with Mrs. Moats because the two schools share some teachers. “She approaches every challenge with a warm smile, a can-do attitude, and unwavering positivity,” Rangaraju wrote, describing Mrs. Moats as a dependable and supportive partner who handles responsibilities with efficiency and care.

“Joy Moats is a wonderful example of the difference our support employees make in the lives of students and in the success of our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. “She approaches her work with excellence, but what stands out most is the way she cares for people. Whether she is helping a student, supporting a colleague, or simply finding a way to make someone’s day a little better, she is always looking for ways to serve others. Joy reminds us

that some of the most meaningful moments in education happen because someone is willing to go the extra mile. We are proud to have her represent SDPC as our District Support Employee of the Year.”

For Mrs. Moats, creating a positive workplace is directly connected to serving students well. She believes employees who feel appreciated and supported are better positioned to help students succeed. Her own professional experiences have also shaped a belief that success is measured not only by the work that gets done, but by the relationships built along the way.

Mrs. Moats also gives back beyond her daily responsibilities. She rotates as R.C. Edwards’ United Way campaign coordinator, helping staff learn about the organization’s impact on families throughout Pickens County. During the Christmas season, she serves as one of the school’s Salvation Army bell ringers and invites students to participate, giving them an opportunity to experience the joy of serving others while raising money for those in need.

District Support Employee of the Year Finalists”

Alongside Mrs. Moats, SDPC recognized three additional outstanding finalists for District Support Employee of the Year:

• Brittani Black, Hagood Elementary School
• Anett Eirhart, Transportation, Easley Area
• Tosha Stone, R.H. Gettys Middle School

Each of these finalists represents the dedication and excellence of SDPC’s support employees, whose work plays a vital role in helping schools operate effectively and students succeed.

Each of SDPC’s site-level Support Employees of the Year will receive a $100 bonus from the district this year. The four finalists for District Support Employee of the Year will each receive a $750 bonus.

SDPC is grateful to Peach State Federal Credit Union for its continued support of the Support Employee and Teacher of the Year programs. In addition to the $750 finalist bonus, Mrs. Moats will receive a $1,500 bonus from the district as the 2026–2027 District Support Employee of the Year, along with $500 from Peach State Federal Credit Union in recognition of her outstanding achievement.