File Photo
Greer High School Principal Marion Waters with his family at a football game at Dooley Field.
Waters taught AP U.S. History at Greer High School in 1974 and coached football, basketball, baseball, track & field and baseball. He began his administrative tenure in 1984 as assistant principal, became principal at Greer Middle School in 1986 and returned to Greer High in 1994 as principal. “I am celebrating (45) years of public education,” Waters said.
“The school is in good shape, we have had a good report card, the faculty and the students are terrific. All indications are this is a good time to retire. People I have known in education have told me, ‘you will know when the time comes to go.’”
Waters will be 67 in June.
Margaret Burch was instrumental as a Greenville County School Board member in bringing Waters back to Greer High School as principal in 1984. She had already been aware of his teaching and administrative skills. “He is a brilliant educator and very intelligent man,” Burch said. “He is also an eloquent speaker. I was always so proud of him when he made presentations.
“I would call Mr. Waters more an academician,” Burch said.
“His leadership has left an impression not limited to Greer High School but countless others over the years in the community,” said Dr. Bruce Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools.
“Marion, as an individual, earns respect,” Royster said. “Anyone who has been him a long time know him as a consummate professional. The high standards and expectations he has for his students and faculty are the same he has for himself.”
Royster said when specific issues are needed to be addressed, “Marion is the person we often ask to speak on them. He is a gifted presenter.”
Travis Perry was a student of Waters when he taught advanced placement History and was his offensive line coach. Perry won Greer’s last football state championship in 2003 with Waters as principal, left for Christ Church and returned to Greer as athletic director when Waters welcomed him back. “Mr. Waters is the reason I came back to Greer,” Perry said.
“He is the least self-promoting person I have ever known,” Perry said. “He always has the coaches’ backs. There is always accountability and if there is something wrong he will let you know.”
Waters began his education career as a history teacher at Greer High in 1974. He coached football, basketball, baseball and track and field and was named assistant principal at Greer Middle School in 1984 for two years. He returned to GHS in 1994.
Waters made the announcement Wednesday on the school’s news website in a story written by co-editors Amy Yarborough and Carey Klinge. “I never had a bad day at Greer High School, but some days were simply better than others,” Waters quoted former GHS football coach Phil Clark.