Legendary Winthrop professor, teacher Ann Cain dies

Ann Cain, who taught hundreds of children and teachers in York County for more than 50 years, and was a trailblazer in integrating local schools, has died after an illness. She was 81.

Cain was a longtime professor of education at Winthrop University who wrote books on teaching and dropout prevention. For the past two decades, she managed the early childhood education Head Start program for Carolinas Community Actions, where her teaching and leadership helped thousands of children from poor families.

She also used her expertise as a consultant for the Rock Hill school district and others.

At Head Start, where Cain directed the curriculum for five area counties, she put an emphasis on children learning what they needed before starting kindergarten, giving them a better chance to excel.

“The investment in children is an investment in the future of the individual and the community, our state and our nation,” Cain told The Herald in 2011. “These kids are learning skills they need to get ready to succeed in school. This is not day care. Every child is here learning.”

In her classes, Cain constantly reminded students that education was key to not just economic advancement, but was part of a rich and whole family, social and community life.

“Ann Cain was a tremendous teacher,” said Walter Kellogg, executive director of Carolina Community Actions. “More than that, she supervised our eight center directors.

“She loved children and believed in teaching and learning. She understood how to reach children. She was a gem and Head Start and this community will miss her.”

Cain and the late state Rep. Bessie Moody-Lawrence, also a Winthrop professor, taught hundreds of education students at Winthrop before they became teachers themselves. Dr. Horace Goggins, a retired dentist and Rock Hill civil rights activist for more than 55 years, said Cain’s dedication to students and to training teachers transcended generations.

“Ann Cain’s legacy,” he said, “is people teaching in every school in Rock Hill and York County.”

Whitney Cain said his mother spent her entire life learning and teaching.

“She believed all children could learn,” he said.

She also was instrumental in York County Juneteenth programs, and spent decades teaching and running programs on Christian education and leadership at Mount Prospect Baptist Church in Rock Hill, as well as helping to run many other civic projects in York County and around the state. She was past chair of York County First Steps and was honored locally and around the state for her devotion to children.

Cain started her career as an elementary school teacher in segregated schools after graduating from Allen University in 1954. She served all children of all backgrounds after schools integrated in the 1960s. After teaching first grade for years, she became an assistant principal and returned to school to earn a master’s of education degree from Winthrop in 1978 and a doctorate of philosophy in education degree from the University of South Carolina in 1980.

“We at Winthrop often say that we want to leave the university a better place for our having been here,” said Debra Boyd, the university’s acting president. “Ann Cain exemplified that ideal.

“While we mourn her passing, we are grateful for the legacy of love, learning and community service she has left us.”

This story was originally published December 20, 2014 at 9:22 AM.