Mr. Lawrence Dease has been named the principal of Bennettsville Intermediate School for the 2022-2023 school year. He is a native of Bennettsville, S.C., and the son of the late Vanessa Dease. He is a 1997 graduate of Marlboro County High School and a 2002 graduate of Winthrop University where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance.
Mr. Dease began his teaching career in Marlboro County at Bennettsville Middle School in 2004 teaching sixth grade math. He earned a Master’s of Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in 2008. While at Bennettsville Middle School, Mr. Dease coached football and boys’ basketball, and he mentored boys in the Gentleman’s Club. He served as math department chair, grade level chair, technology coach, and data coach. From 2012-2015, Mr. Dease taught 7th grade math at Blenheim Middle School of Discovery and mentored boys in the B.O.W.T.I.E. Club.
Mr. Dease has served as an assistant principal since 2015. He has served in this role at Bennettsville Intermediate School, McColl Elementary Middle School, and Blenheim Middle School of Discovery. He is married to Kimberly Dease. Mr. Dease is a member of Sawmill Lodge #375, PHA and various other masonic bodies. He is a member Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Florence Alumni Chapter.
“I thank and credit my family for their support and the values that were instilled in me growing up, that have brought me to where I am today. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and the community at large of Bennettsville Intermediate School as principal. I look forward to working with the staff and community to continue to improve outcomes, academic and social/emotional, for the students of BIS.”
Mr. Andrews stated, “Mr. Dease brings the experience and skills needed to help the students and staff at Bennettsville Intermediate School to achieve the highest results possible. I look forward to him serving in his new role as we continue to build the strongest team for our district.”