Discovering the Genius of our Youth

Hayward R. Jean

Hayward Jean is the Director of Student Services for the Orangeburg County School District, leading a team of professionals in serving approximately 11,000 students. As an award-winning Principal of Mellichamp Elementary School, the school made history as one of eight South Carolina schools in 2013 to go from an "F" rating to an "A" rating in one year, and in 2014, they were the recipient of the school's first ever Palmetto Silver Award winner for academic performance. In the 2019-2020 school year, Mellichamp was one of two schools in the Country to be awarded the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching’s (NIET) School of Promise award. Recently, Hayward authored a book entitled, Weapons of Mass Distraction: Dismantling the Negative Influence of Hip Hop Music on Our Youth. He also co-authored a Marriage Prayer  Journal with his wife entitled, The Power Cord Devotional: A 40 Day Marriage Prayer Journal for your Prayer Journey. During his teaching career, Hayward was awarded Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year Finalist, in addition to receiving The South Carolina State Conference NAACP Presidential Citation Award for Education Advocacy. Nationally, Hayward currently served on the Steering Committee for NIET which serves schools throughout the country. He assisted NIET in securing a 2.5 million grant to develop school leaders in South Carolina. The Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP gave Jean the Presidential Citation Award for Educator of the Year. In 2017, Jean was a guest on the internationally syndicated television program, The 700 Club, where he discussed growing up without his father to now being like a father to students who call him “Dad.” The "I’M"possible Scholarship Fund named Jean as the Living the Legacy Award inaugural recipient for his efforts to impact the youth. As an inaugural member and spokesman for Call Me MISTER®, Hayward provides professional development for pre-service teachers, teacher practitioners, administrators, and higher education faculty. Hayward was honored as Claflin University’s first Young Alumnus Visionary Award recipient in the University’s Hall of Fame. In 2018, Orangeburg Chapter of The Links Incorporated honored Jean as “Father of the Year” for his community service. In 2019, Jean was honored as the South Carolina Male Achievement Conference “Fatherhood/Man of the Year.” Most recently, Hayward was named to the inaugural class of Claflin University’s Outstanding Leaders under 40, is the recipient of the Compass 4 Faith Leader Award from the SC Victim’s Assistance Network, and he is the 2022 recipient of the Humanitarian Award given by the SC State Conference. As a community leader, Hayward is a leader on Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory council, board member for the Orangeburg County Arts Center, board member for The Regional Medical Center Foundation, and a rotary club member. As a motivational speaker, Hayward is the founder of Speak Life Enterprises, a national speaking organization. Hayward and his wife are currently planting Conforming to Christ’s Image Church in Orangeburg, SC. Hayward resides in Orangeburg, and is married to the lovely and talented, Starlette Jean, who is a Reading Interventionist, co-pastor, and speaker. They have three dynamic children, Hayward, Malachi, and Imani.