As part of the 2025-26, Arts in the Basic Curriculum grant, AJMS is pleased to welcome Mr. Shykeem Gardner. Mr. Gardner, a Beaufort, SC native, is a dedicated dancer with a diverse background in performance and education. He began dancing in elementary school but rediscovered his passion after a high school injury. Encouraged by friends and driven by a new sense of purpose, he developed an interest in the art form, initially learning through online resources like YouTube, from watching other dancers, and attending national workshops and conferences.
Mr. Gardner will bring his story to all of the dance classes while teaching the hip-hop style to AJMS students. Hip-hop dance originated in the 1970s and blended the human experiences of seeing, celebrating, experiencing, understanding, confronting, and commenting on life. These reflections are also seen in the learning environment at AJMS and Mr. Gardner will draw connections to the reflective process that develops academic growth.
Andrew Jackson Middle School is a FOCUS school for the Arts. AJMS is a Certified Arts in the Basic Curriculum School and a 2025-26 Distinguished Arts Program from the South Carolina Arts Commission. The ABC Institute is funded in part by the South Carolina Art Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.