The Citadel Zucker Family School of Education recognizes Mrs. Clara Heinsohn for taking major actions to advance policy, legislation, or governmental rule making that have positively impacted the quality of education for students, the work of educators, and/or the involvement of the community in education for South Carolina.
Mrs. Clara Heinsohn was born in Augusta, Georgia and raised in Savannah, Georgia. Her family moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 1964 where she attended St. Andrew’s High School, graduated from Winthrop University with a BS in Education, and received her master’s degree in education, from the College of Charleston.
Mrs. Heinsohn was married to the late John Richard Heinsohn and has one daughter, Anne, who is married to Representative Leon Stavrinakis, as well as has three grandchildren: Clara Anne, Manny, and Emma.
Previously, Mrs. Heinsohn served on the College of Charleston Teacher Roundtable, Commission on Women Board, First Tee of Charleston Board, Fort Sumter/ Fort Moultrie Trust Board, Foundation for Education Excellence Board, Chair of the Lowcountry Literacy Roundtable, Chair of the Lowcountry Orphan Relief Board, Reading Partners Board, South Carolina Virtual Charter School Board, South Carolina Performance and State Standards Board , South Carolina Education Oversight Committee Board, Writing Improvement Board, Yo Arts Board, and was awarded our State’s highest award, The Order of the Palmetto, by former Governor David Beasley in 1998.
Mrs. Heinsohn’s professional career consists of teaching elementary school for 25 years, Research Director for the South Carolina Senate Education Committee, Director of Public Affairs and Volunteers and lobbyist for the Charleston County School District. She is currently a lobbyist for Reading Partners, consultant for the South Carolina Virtual Charter Schools, and consultant for the Charleston County School District, where she has started the Superintendent’s Literacy Roundtable.
Mrs. Heinsohn stated that as a cradle Episcopalian and a member of Grace Church Cathedral since 1984, she was awarded the Cathedral’s Service Award in 2020. She currently serves, as Junior Warden and liaison for Memminger Elementary School. In addition, she is a member of the South Carolina Arts Alliance Board, South Carolina School Improvement Board, Charleston Library Society, Colonial Dames, and Daughters of the Revolution.
From this brief description, it is obvious that Ms. Heinsohn’s contributions and accolades stretch over many years. Tonight, we’d like to specifically recognize her work as the Chair of CCSD’s Superintendent’s Literacy Roundtable. In doing so, she brings together important voices in literacy education from across the Lowcountry, providing a place where those from area organizations invested in literacy can become aware of the work of others and understand the challenges and needs that we have in common and those that differ. The group has become a centralized location through which partnerships have developed, and it is also an essential point through which a variety of stakeholders can discuss and understand legislation related to education in South Carolina. Clara’s knowledge of the legislative process, legislators, and legislation, as well as her stalwart support of public education in South Carolina, are invaluable to the greater educational community. Beyond her knowledge, however, what it most commendable about Ms. Heinsohn’s leadership is her even-minded ability to look beyond the political rhetoric to analyze and think through how specific legislation will impact the lives of K-12 students and teachers in South Carolina. She is peerlessly consistent in her advocacy for public education, and our community owes much to her because of this.