News and Announcements

Hola, my name is Delores Tips, and I serve as a Spanish teacher and Related Arts Department Chairperson at Bates Middle School. I am honored to have been recognized as Bates Teacher of the Year (2022–2023), WLTX Teacher of the Week (January 30, 2025), and the inaugural WLTX First Teacher of the Year (2024–2025). In addition, I proudly serve as Co-Advisor for the Bates FBLA chapter.

I am an international teacher from the Philippines with 17 years of teaching experience in special education. I love guiding students as they grow into more confident, capable individuals, developing not only their communication and academic skills but also their sense of independence, self expression, and joy in learning. I am passionate about creating a positive and joyful classroom environment that celebrates progress in every form.

Mr. Michael F. Grimsley is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an emphasis in both Band and Orchestra, as well as a Master of Music Education with a focus on Orchestra and Early Childhood Music. His primary instruments are trumpet and bass, and he also has experience in recording technology and technical theatre. Mr. Grimsley considers himself well-rounded in the performing arts, bringing his broad experiences across music, theatre, and the fine arts into his teaching each day.

The 2025–2026 school year marks Mr. Grimsley’s eighteenth year in education and his second year at Bates Middle School. Before joining Sumter School District, he taught music from elementary through high school levels in Richland One, Lexington One, and at Midlands STEM Charter School in Fairfield County, where he also served in administrative roles. He completed a Master of Education in Education Administration in 2023 and an Education Specialist degree in Education Administration in 2025, both from the University of South Carolina. He is now pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Practice and Innovation with a concentration in Education Systems Improvement at the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Grimsley is passionate about fostering creativity, discipline, and teamwork through music education, and he is proud to share his love of the performing arts with the students of Bates Middle School.

I believe in being a facilitator of learning and fostering an environment that encourages students to be creative and explore new technologies. As a media specialist, I am committed to integrating the latest technologies into the school environment. With the use of Chromebooks and Promethean boards, students can utilize search engines, QR codes, and digital learning apps to research information, drawing from both digital and print resources. 

I have been a member of the Bantam family since August 2008, and for the better part of 16 years, I have been proud to represent the home of the Mighty Bantams! Ours is a proud tradition of academic excellence and student achievement. Our students are intelligent, talented, and eager to explore new learning opportunities offered by our dedicated teachers and staff each day. It has been my honor to serve both as a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher, and now as Curriculum Coach, and I am excited about the many great things to come for our school! GO BANTAMS!

My name is Dr. Kendra Green, and I love everything about Bates Middle School! There is a distinct sense of Bantam pride in the atmosphere. The school spirit at sporting events, recognition programs, and pep rallies is infectiously contagious. Bates alumni parents often reminisce about their own experiences at Bates, proudly passing the torch to their children. As a school administrator, I am committed to creating a positive and nurturing environment where both students and staff thrive.