Diane Middleton spent three decades in the classroom. Now she's running for the Horry County Board of Education — so every child in District 3 learns to read fluently, grow, and reach their highest potential.
“As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher.”
Diane comes from a family of teachers. Her grandmother taught her father in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Maryland, and her mother became one of the first Special Education teachers in the state. Her daughter continued the tradition as a Special ed specialist, and her son holds a bachelor's degree in child development (Paedology). For Diane, the classroom was always home.
She spent many years in elementary classrooms from Virginia to Washington, DC. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and a Master's in Education from Cambridge College. Her favorite grades to teach were second and fourth.
After leaving the classroom, Diane became a “Reading Recovery” specialist. In that role she found her deepest purpose helping struggling students rise to read at grade level and even above, causing her colleagues to dub her "The Miracle Worker”. She felt gratified seeing early success in literacy change the course of a child's life.
Continuing to broaden her scope, Diane became a certified Creative Writing instructor and proudly published anthologies of her students' works. She went on to become a school Resource teacher where she mentored fellow teachers, led Staff Development, initiated school projects and helped shape curriculum. During this time she earned "Outstanding" evaluations and a seat at Superintendent Roundtables and Textbook selection committees.
One of her proudest accomplishments was helping launch and lead a successful K–3 public charter school. Under her direct leadership, the school didn't just meet standards — it actively exceeded district benchmarks by focusing on:
Building a strong bridge between the classroom and the home, ensuring families were active partners in their child's education.
Creating a nurturing, structured school environment where young students were excited to show up and learn every day.
Designing and executing data-driven instructional strategies that pushed student mastery beyond traditional district averages during those critical foundational years.
Diane is retired now and has lived happily for many years in Carolina Forest
“I have a passion for education. I could talk about it all day. It's in my blood.”
"I want to contribute my knowledge and experience with excellence in Education, while honoring the achievements and values that make Horry County a great place to live. That's why I'm running.”
Despite the problems we face in society today, our mission as adults is to help bring hope into the lives of our young people.
A focused, student-first agenda grounded in three decades of classroom experience.
Keeping the district's focus where it belongs — on every single student learning and thriving, no matter their starting point.
Backing Superintendent Clifford Jones' #RiseWithReading campaign so every student reads at grade level and beyond.
Keeping students on the path to finishing strong — and walking across that stage ready for what comes next.
Modeling adults who get along — parents, teachers, students, and leaders working as one for the good of our young people.
Diane is committed to a clear, common-sense agenda for Horry County Schools, District 3 — putting students first and investing in strong public education.
Put the needs of all students at the center of every decision the board makes.
Maintain competitive teacher salaries to keep high-quality educators in our classrooms, paired with stringent professional standards.
Make sure each school is assigned the qualified faculty it needs to serve its whole student body.
Instead of private-school vouchers, promote all-day Pre-K for four-year-olds — building long-term academic success and helping lower child-care costs for families.
Support the Rise With Reading literacy initiative to reach a 95% literacy rate by 2030.
Increase the high school graduation rate so more students finish strong and ready for what comes next.
As a former reading specialist, Diane knows that learning to read is the single most important step in a child's education — and a healthy democracy depends on it.
“When you have a population that can't read the language they should be able to, that affects our entire society. The more people we have who are educated, the better all of us will be.”
Every student reading at — or above — their grade level by the time it matters most.
Catching reading gaps early, with the specialists and support our youngest learners need.
Championing a district-wide culture where reading is celebrated in every classroom and home.
District 3 is the Carolina Forest attendance area — one of Horry County's fastest-growing communities. It's a family of ten schools, from kindergarten classrooms all the way to Carolina Forest High, and these are the students, teachers, and parents Diane is running to serve.
HighThe anchor of District 3 — a COGNIA STEM-certified, U.S. News-recognized high school that every neighborhood here is building toward.
MiddleA Title I “Building Bear Greatness” school with a standout fine-and-performing-arts program and strong family engagement.
MiddleHome of the Stingrays, with teachers earning district-wide honors in the heart of Carolina Forest.
MiddleHome of the Silver Foxes — where eighth-graders were selected to present at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Elementary“Where everyone matters, and every moment counts” — a belonging-focused school with a “Dare to Dream and Rise with Reading” theme.
Elementary“Learn, Grow, Achieve” — a strong literacy focus, from a Summer Reading Challenge to a book vending machine.
ElementaryHome of the River Otters — enrichment like Gifted & Talented and after-school care in a welcoming, resource-rich school.
ElementaryHome of the Wildcats — serving Child Development through 5th grade with inclusive support: Title I, ESOL, and special education.
ElementaryHome of the Pelicans — a Library Learning Commons and gifted programming, plus community touches like its Summer Meals partnership.
ElementaryThe “Red Fox Family” — rallying around “Tracking Opportunities and Excellence” with literacy drives like “Rise With Reading.”
A concern, a complaint, or a great idea — tell Diane directly. It’s a real conversation, not a form, and you can stay anonymous.
Knock doors, make calls, or help at events. A few hours makes a real difference.
Show your support — request a yard sign for your home or business.
Share Diane's message with friends, family, and neighbors in District 3.
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“I want everyone working together for the good of the young people. If we do that, we can't lose.”
