Our School

Moore Intermediate School- The Original History

Moore Intermediate School was located at 1101 Cheraw Drive in Florence, South Carolina, in an older, well established residential area in the western part of the city.  Many of the surrounding homes housed retired adults.  One of the most recent developments near the school (1-2 miles) was the most expensive real estate in Florence.  Continuing to grow at a rapid pace, Florence as the hub of activity for the rural Pee Dee region of South Carolina.  Located between Columbia and Myrtle Beach, Florence provided medical services, business, industry, shopping and entertainment for the surrounding the Pee Dee area.

Moore’s original building was constructed in the mid 1950’s There were 21 classrooms, a library, a large gymnasium, cafeteria and auditorium.  In the 1970’s, a spacious new media center was moved upstairs when 6 classrooms were added on the second floor.  In the 1980’s, an additional 12 classrooms and 4 restrooms were constructed in a wing behind the gymnasium, creating a courtyard in the middle of the school building.  Today there are 43 teaching stations.  

Over the years, Moore has been a junior high school (grades 7-9) and a middle school (grades 7 and 8) During those years, Moore was deemed as being almost an exact replica of a cross section of Florence.  The students came from two country club developments, suburban neighborhoods, rural areas, and a very poor section of downtown Florence.  The ratio of white to black was 65%/35%.  Equal numbers of students (approximately 20%) were in both gifted and remedial programs.  The curriculum was very traditional until 1990 when Moore initiated the concept of teams.  Because the population continued to grow, this enabled such a large school to establish “small schools amid the big school.”

In the school year 1994-1995, Moore Middle School was replaced by a new, larger school, Henry Sneed Middle School, and Moore became an intermediate school for grades 5 and 6.  That year, 756 students and teachers from 3 overcrowded elementary schools (Briggs, Royall, and Savannah Grove) were rezoned to the newly created Moore Intermediate School.

Administrators, teachers, parents, and community volunteers were instrumental in preparing the former junior/middle school into bright, clean, and appealing classrooms and grounds for elementary students.  Students voted on the school colors, a mascot, and playground equipment.  Parents made suggestions, were involved in meetings, and provided manual labor (scrubbing, painting, making curtains, etc.) before the move took place.  From the beginning, parent and community involvement were critical in recreating Moore Intermediate School.

In the second year, Moore had 768 students as the sixth grade graduated and a new fifth grade entered.  After two years, the Justice Department’s mandated rezoning of elementary schools in Florence created a change in the student population again.

After two rezonings (1982 and 1996), Moore had a population of 816 students in grades 5 and 6, coming from nine different elementary schools.  The majority of students came mostly from three elementary schools: Carver, Delmae, and McLaurin.  This combination of students from three separate and different elementary schools presented a “starting over” for the second time in the school’s three-year history.

Mrs. Hall Ross

Email: hhall@fsd1.org

Hello and Welcome to JWM Middle School!

I’ve served in Florence One Schools for the past twenty-two years and this year I will continue serving as the 6th grade administrator here at Moore. 

My earliest years of service in Florence One began at Timrod Elementary School as a 6th grade teacher; my core subject was math. After several years there and earning a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina, I was promoted to the position of assistant principal at Greenwood Elementary School; many fulfilling years and fond memories as well as  lifelong friendships w/ parents, families and staff were made there. 

So now, I continue my years of service here at Moore Middle School!  This will be my fourth year as 6th grade administrator and I look forward to all that the year holds for our rising Moore Lions as they transition from elementary to middle school! I’ve been asked the question before, “What do you enjoy most about being an educator?” As the years pass, I find that my response remains the same. My greatest joy is nurturing students and watching them grow and mature socially, emotionally and academically! I look forward to the same this year!

Mr. Luke Matthews

Phone: 843-269-2601

Email: Luke.Matthews@fsd1.org

Hello! I am a 8th Grade Assistant Principal at Moore Intermediate. We find that consistent structure offering grace as needed is best for students because it sets clear boundaries and consequences, while providing our students with flexibility for them to make mistakes and grow.

My top priorities is to keep students safe, support teachers and see that students learn. I host our Lion's Club - a monthly after school club that exposes our boys to a variety of interests and life skills such as:

• camping and outdoors skills
• weightlifting
• auto maintenance (changing brakes, oil and batteries)
• career options with visits to local business (Pee Dee Tank, Quality Air Tool)
  - career options with visits to schools:
  - Florence Career Center
  - Francis Marion University
  - South Carolina Governor's School
  - career options in military with visits from:
  - West Florence JROTC
  - active duty military
  - retired Special Forces and SWAT

My heart is to expose students to the myriad of opportunities available, specifically connect them to that related to their interests or capabilities and inspire them to pursue education to this end.

Mrs. Ashley Hughes has been in education for over 13 years. Her career began as a 4K grade teacher in 2007, and since then, she has taught grades 3rd, 4th, 5th,and 6th. She has also served as a English Language Specialist, Reading Interventionist, Reading Coach, Technology Coach and Curriculum Coordinator.

Mrs. Hughes graduated from Clemson University in 2004 with a Bachelor Science degree in Psychology. Later, in 2008, she received a Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood and Elementary Education from South Carolina State University. In 2012, she earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Coastal Carolina University. In 2015, she acquired certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

In her most recent role as a Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs. Hughes was primarily responsible for supporting classroom teachers in using the curriculum to analyze student's strengths and target areas for improvement. She placed a strong emphasis on individual and group professional learning to expand and refine the understanding of researched-based effective instruction for teachers. She coached teachers on the integration of technology within the classroom to enhance instruction. In addition, she served as a charter member and chairperson of Trendsetters, the school's committee to promote a safe and civil learning environment for all students and staff by identifying areas that need improvement in the school community and developing solutions for those areas.

Outside of school, Mrs. Hughes enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their three children: Levone, Jacqueline, and Bina.

Email: ahughes@fsd1.org

Phone:

Room Number- A179

My name is Karen Goin and I have been with FSD1 since 2000.  My first 20 years were spent as an Elementary Computer Teacher but in the 20-21 school year I became the Attendance Clerk for Moore Middle School! I am very excited to start this new year and see what new challenges await for me!

Karen Goin- Attendance Clerk

Email:kgoin@fsd1.org

Phone:

Ms. Debbie Seward

My name is Debbie Seward and I am the bookkeeper here at Moore. I've been with the district for 9 years and I'm so excited to see all of the new faces on our team!! 

Email: deborah.seward@fsd1.org

Phone:  

My name is Jennifer Carter and I have been with the district since 2018. 
I love working with the amazing students, administration, and staff at Moore!  Welcome to Moore! Go LIONS!

Mrs. Jennifer Carter

Email:jcarter@fsd1.org

Phone:

Mr. R. Crowley- Tech. Coach

I am finishing up my 22nd year with Florence District One. I graduated from Francis Marion College (before it was a university) in 1992. My first teaching job was that same year as a Fourth Grade Teacher at Florence School District 4. A few years later I accepted a job with Florence School District One's Alternative School. Shortly after that, I became the Computer Teacher at North Vista Elem. School where I taught for 11 years. In 2008, I came to Moore Intermediate, teaching Math, Science and eventually, the computer lab. During those years as Computer Teacher at Moore, I received my Masters from Lesley University. 2022-2023 will start my 8th year as Technology Coach.

Email: rlcrowley@fsd1.org

Phone:

Room/Office  Number-A11

Dr. Haley Taylor- STEAM Coach

Hey Lions!  My name is Dr. Haley Taylor and I am your new STEAM Coach!  I spent the first 15 years of my career as a 5th grade teacher and the last 4 as the STEM Coach at Savannah Grove Elementary.  I am originally from Georgia but have made South Carolina my home since moving here in 2011.  I love spending time with my family and friends and watching sports.  I am so excited for this challenge and look forward to serving Moore Middle School.  We've got this!

Email:  haley.taylor@fsd1.org

Phone:  

Office Number- A108

Dr. Haley Taylor

Email address:  haley.taylor@fsd1.org

Phone number: 843-664-8171

Ms. Jennifer Carter

My name is Jennifer Carter and I have been with the district since 2018. 
 I love working with the amazing students, administration, and staff at Moore!  Welcome to Moore! Go LIONS!

Email:jcarter@fsd1.org

Phone:

Office- Guidance Office

I was born in Roxbury Massachusetts and lived blocks away from New Edition.We moved to SC in the early 80's which landed me in Lamar where I graduated in 1989.I played 2 years of College Football but my career was cut short by injury.I have coached and mentored hundreds of kids with six of them making it to the pros.I joined F1S in 2012 as a class assistant and varsity basketball assistant coach at South Florence.During my tenure here in F1S I have coached football at Southside and Sneed.I was also the first boys basketball coach here at Moore and currently entering my 4th year as
ISS Monitor.

Lee Price- ISS Instructor

Email: lee.price@fsd1.org

Phone: 

Mrs. Ashley McLeod

Email:amcleod@fsd1.org

Phone:

Office Number: A120

My name is Ashley McLeod and this is my third year as a school nurse at Moore Middle School. I graduated from FDTC with an ADN and then MUSC with a BSN. I have been a nurse for 25 years. I live in Florence with my husband, Jason, and my son, Evan, who is in the 12th grade at West Florence High School. I have a daughter, Grace, who is a Sophomore at the University of South Carolina. Lastly, I also live with our white lab, Henry.

Ms. Jane Smith

Hi! I am Jane Smith RN, one the two nurses here at Moore Middle School. This will be my 6th year with FSD1 and I am looking forward to another safe and healthy year here at Moore Middle School.

Carrie Connor- Secretary

My name is Carrie Connor and I have been the school secretary at Moore Middle School for 10 years.  I am looking forward to seeing all of our returning students, and welcoming all of our new students and parents to the Moore family.

Email:Email Carrie Connor

Phone:
 

Tarah Boykin- Receptionist

I’ve been at Moore since 2017.  I am married and have three kids who have been, are and will be Moore Lions.  I enjoy shopping, reading and watching sports.  

Email: tboykin@fsd1.org

Phone: 

Jamey McCall- SRO

Email: jamey.mccall@fsd1.org

Phone: 

Jacqueline Toney- Campus Safety Monitor

Email: jtoney@fsd1.org

Phone:

Krista Stephens- OT

I am Krista Stephens and I am excited to be the occupational therapist serving Moore Middle School students again this year. I have been an OT for 26 years.  This is my third year at Moore and my 9th year with Florence One Schools.  I am looking forward to a great year!

Email:krista.stephens@fsd1.org

Phone:

I am Richard McCabe and I have been teaching English to Multilingual Learners for 13 years in Florence 1 Schools.  I'm excited to continuing to work with my rising 7th and 8th graders as well as all our new arrivals to John W. Moore Middle School.

 Richard McCabe- ESOL

Email:rmccabe@fsd1.org

Phone: 

Mauro Diaz Dondre- SEC IMMIGRANT LIAISON

Email:mdiazdonaire@fsd1.org

Phone: 

Celeste Whisenhunt

cwhisenhunt@fsd1.org