Thomas Carlyle (T.C.) Martin, served as Charles County Superintendent of Schools from 1951 to 1955.

When his four-year term ended, the Board of Education did not reappoint him to a second term. Several members of the community protested the Board's decision. A Pomonkey PTA member even threatened to force the Board to resign. Despite the community's efforts, the Board upheld its decision and Martin urged the community to support his successor and work to develop the best possible school system.

Martin was born on April, 13, 1896, in Independence, Va. Martin's education career began in the 1920s at Buffalo High School in W.Va. In 1924 he became principal of Sardia High School, also in West Virginia. He later served as principal of Brandywine High School and Hughesville Elementary School in Maryland.

Martin married his first wife, Rae Glover, a teacher in Morgantown, W.Va., in 1922.

After Glover's death in 1955, Martin married his second wife Ola Murray, a teacher from Beaverdam, Va. Martin had no children of his own, but all children were his top priority. Those who remember him say he personally drove a handicapped polio victim to school each day and gave shoes and money to impoverished children.

Martin died on Oct. 6, 1977, at the age of 81.

Source: T.C. Martin Elementary School Dedication Program Photograph reprinted through the courtesy of the school.