Summer 2019 Update:

Unfortunately I did not make it on the ballot for the 2019 election. I do plan on running for the 2021 election! Over the next year and a half, I will prepare to run again, learn as much as I can about school board protocol, and I’ll be paying close attention to the details that make Spartanburg District 2 schools unique.

Hello, I’m Alison Underwood, and I’m running for Spartanburg District 2 School Board.  I am an instructor at the Green Spartanburg Science center where I work directly with students, parents, and teachers in Spartanburg.  The district will benefit from my experience as an educator and scientist.

Alison Underwood With a Telescope
Alison Underwood, Candidate Spartanburg District 2 School Board at Lake Bowen park

I was raised in Woodruff. Upon graduating from Woodruff High School, I went to Francis Marion University to study physics. I have a Bachelor’s in Physics, minor in Math, plus concentrations in Astronomy and Biology. I found my passion for informal education because of Astronomy and have pursued informal education accordingly.

Since then I’ve spent the majority of my career working in Spartanburg County through the Green Spartanburg Science Center. As an instructor, I’ve worked directly with teachers, creating programs with our science standards in mind; with parents to coordinate science-related group activities, birthday parties, camps, field trips, and family visits. I work directly with the children of Spartanburg County answering questions, going to classrooms and hosting field trips at the Science Center, running summer camps, and doing birthday programs.

I’m a huge fan of STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) activities. In high school I took as many art and science classes I could fit into my schedule. Incorporating creativity in science is important because it both reaches kids in different ways as well as inspires innovation.

At home I spend a lot of time with my husband, our two dogs, and our cat. We are relatively new to district two, moved into our house July 2017. Over this past year we’ve enjoyed getting into gardening, both flowers and growing fruits and vegetables.  I am passionate about geology, I love to collect and study rocks, especially local quartz. 

Why run for School Board?

Working with the students in Spartanburg County, I see there is a real need to connect the students to potential careers. Between the modern technology and the engineering jobs flourishing in Spartanburg, science literacy is more important now than ever.