Outstanding Leaders Under 40
Starlette Jean
’05 Starlette Jean, a respected Reading Interventionist in the Orangeburg County School District at Edisto Elementary School, is celebrated for her profound dedication to literacy development. A 2005 honor graduate of Claflin University, Jean is a committed lifelong learner. She holds a master's degree in professional development from Walden University and continually advances her knowledge in Educational Technology through Webster University. Jean's educational approach is comprehensive, emphasizing the incorporation of Social and Emotional Learning to help young students excel in literacy. Her expertise has led to her involvement in state department committees advocating for Early Childhood literacy and the creation of district-wide and community programs to combat illiteracy. She passionately fosters a love of reading through her "R.A.P. Time with Mrs. Jean" initiative, where she shares stories with students and families on her YouTube channel, aptly named for "Read
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Alouds are Powerful." This endeavor earned her the 2022 Irene Myers Grant and the 2023 Savannah River Site (SRS) Mini-Grant Teacher Award. Jean channels her creativity to bring joy to private and corporate events as the owner and balloon stylist of Make It a B.A.S.H., LLC. As a women's empowerment speaker, she coordinates and leads women's conferences and revivals. Jean also collaborates with her husband, Hayward, in leading "The Power Cord," an organization offering Marriage Counseling, Marriage Conferences, and Marriage Retreats. Together, they co-authored their first book, The Power Cord Prayer Journal. Jean is also a co-pastor at Conforming to Christ's Image Church, where her husband serves as senior pastor. Her favorite scripture, Galatians 6:9, is a guiding reminder never to grow weary in doing good, with the promise that rewards will come in due time. Starlette, her husband, and their three children, Micah, Malachi, and Imani, live in Orangeburg.
