A childhood accident altered the plans Dr. David Longshore had to become a jet pilot, leading him instead to evolve into an advocate for underprivileged children over the past three decades.

The Orangeburg Consolidated School District 3 superintendent, who is retiring at the end of this school year, took a few minutes to reflect on his life's journey. The Newberry native's story is similar to that of the students he's served.

One of eight children, Longshore said his parents were basically sharecroppers and it was difficult for them to make ends meet.

"We grew up poor just like most of the children we serve in this area. I can relate to these kids," he said.

As a youth, Longshore would watch members of the military train and fly jets in rural Newberry. He ran errands for soldiers and got to know many of them well. He decided he wanted to fly jets.

But life had other ideas.

When Longshore was 15, his brother accidently shot him in the left eye with an arrow. That left him unable to pass the vision test required to enter the Air Force.

Instead, Longshore enrolled at South Carolina State University after graduating from the all-black Gallman High School in 1966.

He says he was always a diligent student and credits his nurturing teachers for making him who he is today.

Upon completing his degree in math, Longshore was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the infantry, but the damage to his vision caused him to get caught in traps and tangled in wires during night training.

He was reassigned as a finance and data processor, which made the accident a blessing in disguise, Longshore said. "Who knows what would have happened to me if I had been over there a year in the infantry? You never know," he said.

From there, Longshore embarked on a long career in education, teaching at Claflin University, S.C. State and Edisto Middle School. He was also the principal at Holly Hill Elementary and at Holly Hill-Roberts High.

Longshore says his greatest accomplishment is being an advocate for rural and impoverished children.

"One thing I found out was it is more rewarding to make a difference in the lives of people than to make money," he said.

He said he spurned a cushy job offer from IBM to join OCSD 3, where 92 percent of the district's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Longshore's district is part of the I-95 corridor, which has been dubbed the "Corridor of Shame" based on a concentration of high poverty areas, dilapidated schools and historical lack of funding.

But Longshore says perception is not always reality. OCSD 3 has been able to stay afloat and produce quality students, he says.

Named the 1996 S.C. Superintendent of the Year, Longshore said accountability ratings often don't reflect the difference that's being made in rural districts. He feels federal and state accountability standards have regulated education to a science focused on testing. Schools have also largely become a training ground for businesses, Longshore said. He believes that has taken the joy out of learning for students.

"I don't think that is good for education," Longshore said.

He favors educators getting back to producing well-rounded students who aren't just taught whatever is going to be on a test. The education veteran says the current system is stifling teacher creativity in the classroom.

Longshore views the use of technology and attitudes regarding the teaching profession as the other major changes in the past 30 years. Educators from his generation saw teaching as a calling, he said. Today's educators are more concerned about advancing their careers, Longshore said.

He thinks the teaching profession is not as highly regarded by society as it once was.

With his newly found free time, Longshore plans to spend more time with his four grandchildren and three children. "People don't realize how taxing this job is on the family," he said.

The once aspiring jet pilot wants to travel to Africa, Alaska and the Middle East in the coming years and to continue his passions of reading and tinkering.

"I was always fascinated with how stuff works," Longshore said.

But he says he has not ruled out the possibility of taking a part-time college teaching position. He has also offered his assistance to the OCSD 3 Board of Trustees on a limited basis.

Longshore said he will continue to be an advocate for education.

"There are a number of other ways to promote the cause. I plan to do that," he said.

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T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. T&D Correspondent S.W. Shoptaw also contributed to this report. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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