When he prepared for a visit from State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver at his school Monday afternoon, Macedonia Middle Principal Don Walton was nowhere near prepared for the big surprise that awaited him.
Walton was joined by a crowd that included students, teachers, district officers and Weaver’s support staff inside the school’s media center as he took the podium to introduce Superintendent Weaver to Macedonia Middle. He was under the impression that Weaver was about to surprise an unsuspecting Macedonia Middle staff member with an award for demonstrating excellence and leadership in education.
What he did not know was that staff member was, in fact, him; Walton has been named the state’s 2026 Principal of Excellence.
A bewildered Walton later said he feels “unbelievably blessed” just to work at Macedonia Middle.
“I’m just glad that I’m going to share it with this school and the students and staff,” he said.
Leading up to the big plot twist, Weaver explained to the Macedonia students seated before her in the media center that in celebration of the United States of America’s 250th birthday, the State Department of Education has launched a special series called the Palmetto Pioneers, honoring extraordinary men and women who have helped shape the state and nation – she named educator Mary McLeod Bethune and Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion as examples.
“These men and women from South Carolina – they were not born superheroes; they were ordinary people who developed extraordinary character through their daily choices, and they answered the call of duty when it was demanded,” Weaver said, adding that the choices the students make every day will shape the type of people they will later become. “Every time you choose hard work, to tell the truth, to help a classmate, or to do the right thing when nobody is watching, you’re building the character that will drive your future.”
The discussion then segued to how school communities are full of every day heroes and leaders – from custodians to front office staff to school nurses and more. She praised Macedonia Middle for its many recent accolades: the school’s 2025-2026 report card boasted an overall rating increase from Good to Excellent – in fact, the school’s overall performance improved 11 points in just one year. The school’s reading achievement increased by more than five percentage points over two years, and the school’s math achievement went up by more than 29 percentage points over two years.
“What I know for sure is those kind of results don’t just happen by accident,” she said. “They happen because of your hard work, the work of your teachers – who are supported by your principal – and a whole school community that is united by excellence and doing your very best.”
Weaver then went on to describe Monday’s award recipient as someone from Macedonia Middle who has worked in education for 36 years; someone who leads with humility, discipline, and servant’s heart; someone who doesn’t seek the spotlight, but works tirelessly to ensure students and teachers shine; someone who understands great leadership doesn’t mean making one’s self look good, but helping everyone else become their very best.
Weaver then turned her attention to Walton.
“Principal Don Walton, congratulations: you are South Carolina’s 2026 Principal of Excellence,” she said.
Walton was then surprised with the unveiling of a check for $25,000, sponsored by Dominion Energy South Carolina and South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce.
Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam said Walton embodies three things that make a great leader: faith, hope and love.
“You’ve got to love what you do, you’ve got to love who you do it with, and you’ve got to love those that you do it for,” Kissam said.
Cynthia Bennett, Vice President of Commerce Councils and Philanthropy at South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce, congratulated Walton for being someone who goes above and beyond for his students.
“Work can’t get done at a school without having a strong leader, and you have a strong leader,” she said. “The positive culture that he has created here not only reflects in the academics…but also in your confidence, definitely in your growth, and the success that each and every one of you will continue to have.”
Walton is in his 37th year of working in education – 34 of those years have been spent at Macedonia Middle. He started at the school in 1990 as a sixth grade teacher and a Title 1 Facilitator before transitioning to an assistant principal role. He transferred to Sedgefield Middle for a couple of years before returning as Macedonia’s principal.
Walton said he found a great mentor in former principal Janie Langley, saying she already had the culture of the school set up, and he wanted to continue that positively when he became principal himself.
“I want them (the students) to have fun, and make sure that they know everybody in this building cares about them, and we want them to be as successful as they can be,” he said.
BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon said he is extremely proud of Walton for this recognition.
“He is the epitome of a strong leader,” Dixon said, adding, “Principal Walton is so humble. He focuses on student instruction, he focuses on the wellbeing of all of his students, and he has been so committed to his continuous improvement – and the improvement of his students and teachers and the entire staff here at Macedonia Middle – that each year, they just keep getting better.”