Millennium Magazine_5th Ed

73 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine W ith a strong skill in and passion for art, Dawn Gabbitas Abell chose to pursue education to show others the beauty of expression and how it relates to every subject. She received a BA in art education from Eastern Michigan University in 1969 and anMEd in school administration and supervision fromWinthrop University in 1982. Over the course of a 40-year long career, Ms. Abell has held numerous appointments in education. Most recently, she was an adult education instructor with the Chester County School District and a computer lab manager at York School District One. Between 1998 and 2003, she served as an assistant principal at SedgefieldMiddle School, Starmount Elementary and Midwood High School, and principal of Carroll-Oakland School. Earlier in her career, Ms. Abell was a first grade and art teacher at Melvindale Northern-Allen Park and an art teacher at Clover School District Two. Additionally, Ms. Abell was the owner of the Learner’s Edge in 1987 and La Maison Magnifique in 1975. She also held positions at the Beaufort-Jasper Career Education Center; Gaston, Union, Wilson, Cherokee, Aiken and Richland County Schools; and the University of South Carolina. Ms. Abell is most proud of when she chaired the Education Excellence Teamon Vocational Education in 1991. She is also fond of her work in creating seminars and books for educators and the business community about changes in the field, as well as the conferences she has attended to present her research. A highlight of Ms. Abell’s career was when the state superintendent labeled her as a visionary and maverick. A creative problem-solver, Ms. Abell always exceled in working with administration and students. Despite the politics behind institutions, the students’ growth and happiness always came first. In her retirement, Ms. Abell hopes to focus on art again and ride horses. Ms. Abell was a member of the South Carolina Vocational Association, National Dropout Prevention Center, National Business EducationAssociation, Marketing Education Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals and the South Carolina Technical Education Association. DAWN GABBITAS ABELL, MED ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATOR, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, ADMINISTRATOR (RETIRED) Chester County School District Clover, SC EDUCATION