• Family Picture  
    My name is Carmen Elkins, and I am a second grade teacher at McLees Academy of Leadership. This is my 17th year teaching. I have been at McLees since it opened in August of 2003. Prior to that I was at South Fant Elementary School in Anderson School District 5. I also taught in Laurens at Hickory Tavern and Ford Schools. I have taught Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades. I can't believe my first students are out of college!
    I grew up in Barnwell, SC and graduated from Blackville-Hilda High School. My mom taught in that district for 37 years until she retired to become a full-time grandmother. She was my inspiration to become a teacher.
    I attended University of South Carolina-Aiken where I met my husband, Tommy. We married in November of 1996. We made our home in Fort Myers and Orlando, Florida. I completed my degree, and graduated from USC-Aiken in 1998. We moved to Anderson in December of 1998, and we fell in love with the area. We have two wonderful and very active children. Shuler is in ninth grade, and he will be 15 in October. His favorite sport is football. He is an outside linebacker for TL Hanna's 9th Grade C-Team. Parks is in seventh grade, and she turned 12 in February. She loves to dance, and she has been taking dance lessons for 9 years. She is currently taking Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap classes. She is in 7th grade at Southwood Academy of the Arts as a dance major. Shuler and Parks both enjoy hunting with their dad, attending church functions, and exercising. Tommy and I enjoy supporting them in their interests. We enjoy watching them enjoying things that Sharpen the Saw. As a family we also love to watch Carolina Football and Baseball (Go Cocks!). We are members of Concord Baptist Church. 
    I hope you learned a little about me. I look forward to getting to know your family at McLees Elementary School!