Title:Assistant Principal & Teacher of English as a Second Language
Company: Tabernacle Elementary School
Location: Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde, France
Elizabeth S. Buchanan, PhD, formerly the Assistant Principal and Teacher of English as a Second Language at Tabernacle Elementary School of Randolph County Schools, and Program Director of English as a Second Language for the Rutherford County Schools, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in language and education.
Inspired to enter the teaching profession after traveling to Canada as a teenager and learning the challenge of a new language, Dr. Buchanan attended Winthrop University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1962. Thereafter, she received a Master of Arts in French from the University of South Carolina in 1973 and Doctor of Philosophy in applied linguistics from Georgetown University in 1984. After gaining prominence in the field, she returned to her education at George Mason University, obtaining a Master of Education in administration and supervision in 1990. She holds certificates in teaching, administration and supervision.
Commencing her career in 1962, Dr. Buchanan served as a teacher for many school systems, including Randolph County Schools, Charleston County Schools, Wake County Schools and Fairfax County Schools. Serving in this capacity for 36 fruitful years, she subsequently transitioned into academic administration, holding the position of assistant principal and teacher of English as a second language at Tabernacle Elementary School beginning in 1998. During this time, she served Randolph Community College as an instructor from 1999 to 2006. In addition, she was a bilingual interpreter for Randolph Hospital from 1999 to 2006. Subsequently, she moved to Rutherford County Schools as their program director of English as a second language from 2006 to 2011. A former member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the North Carolina Association of Principals and Assistant Principals, Dr. Buchanan has enjoyed contributing to her community as a treasurer of the Gamecock Alumni Club of Triad since 2000, committee member of the Undergraduate Admissions Board since 1999, and secretary-treasurer of the Randolph Historical Society since 1998. Demonstrating versatility in her field, she has also authored poetry and the play “Death of an American Dream” in 1996.
In light of all of her accomplishments, Dr. Buchanan has been the recipient of numerous accolades during her tenure. She received the Distinguished Educator Award from Randolph County Schools in 2001 and 2002, having previously earned the Golden Eagle Award from Fairfax County Schools in 1996. Impressively, she was a Fulbright Scholar for the United States in Mexico as an instructor, in Argentina as a consultant to the National Inspector General of English Teachers, and as an educational administrator in Scotland. One highlight of her career was the creation of Friendship International, a club for immigrant students at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. Although the club did not garner much attention initially, it had accrued popularity by its second year of existence.
The proud mother of one daughter, Dr. Buchanan enjoys poetry, quilting, traveling and watching live theater in her spare time. In her retirement, she lives in France and delights in working with her grandchildren to help them achieve bilingual fluency.
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