Gaines goes extra mile

Even though Jeffery Gaines has been working in schools for 11 years, this is his first year working as an administrator at West Florence High School. The reason Mr. Gaines chose to join the West Florence administration team was to help re-brand the school and make an impact on the lives of the students. His main goal while working at WF is to support and enforce Mr. Dowdell’s vision.

Keeping this in mind, Gaines’ motto while working with the students is “Whatever they need, whatever it takes.” This means he is willing to go the extra mile to help students be successful.

When faced with a tough situation on the job he said he always investigates, gets all the facts, then makes a decision that will benefit the student and help them succeed in school and in life.

Although this may be an unpopular opinion among the student body, Gaines believes that all of the procedures, new and old, are necessary and are enforced for student safety. If he could he would like to offer more lunch options for students in school, or allow the students that drive an opportunity to get something off campus. He also feels that cell phone usage should be allowed but used sparingly or for educational purposes.

Gaines enjoys traveling and participating in church activities such as: teaching Sunday school, as well as working with the youth that attend his church.

On top of his school duties and life outside of school Gaines is working to get his doctorate degree at Southern Wesleyan University in central South Carolina.

He said that there is nothing he regrets doing because all of our experiences are things we should, and most of the time do, learn from.

What is the best piece of advice he would give to freshmen (or any students)?

“Listen twice as much as you talk; you have two ears for a reason,” he said.