An artist from a young age, Dawn Gabbitas Abell desired to combine her love for artistic expression with teaching as she could help young children learn how to express themselves. Receiving a Bachelor of Arts in art education from Eastern Michigan University in 1969, she has excelled in myriad roles over the course of her 40-year long career, including as an art teacher at Clover School District Two and a first grade and art teacher at Melvindale Northern-Allen Park. As her career progressed, she received a Master of Education in school administration and supervision from Winthrop University in 1982, whereupon she began teaching as an art teacher and teacher of the gifted for several academic institutions.
Later in her career, Ms. Abell served as an assistant principal at Sedgefield Middle School, Starmount Elementary and Midwood Alternative School, and a principal at the Carroll-Oakland School from 1998 to 2003. Prior to her retirement in 2009, she was an adult education instructor with the Chester County School District and a computer laboratory manager at York School District One. Throughout her illustrious career, she has also created seminars and books for fellow educators and business professionals to help them remain abreast of developments in their respective fields, and she has been invited to several conferences to present her research.
Alongside her primary educational posts, Ms. Abell was the owner of the Learner’s Edge in 1987 and La Maison Magnifique in 1975. Likewise, she mastered numerous academic roles at the Beaufort-Jasper Career Education Center, the University of South Carolina, and the Gaston, Union, Wilson, Cherokee, Aiken and Richland County Schools.
Ms. Abell holds certificates in several fields, including in elementary education, a specialist in reading, secondary administration and supervision, and as a vocational center director. She has authored or co authored several books in her areas of expertise, including “An American Tragedy Unfolding: Our Educational System.” Although her career has been filled with highlights, she is exceptionally proud of chairing the Education Excellence Team on Vocational Education in 1991. In addition, she was honored to be titled a visionary and a maverick by the South Carolina State Superintendent of Education. Looking toward the future, Ms. Abell intends to enjoy her retirement and focus her spare time on art and riding horses.