Welcome to the How It All Works Podcast, where we explore the relationship between education and workforce development.

On this episode, we’re highlighting the power of education, creativity, and community-centered learning through the work of an exceptional Family and Consumer Sciences educator. Lanier Lebby Alston is a veteran teacher at Hand Middle School in Columbia, South Carolina, with more than twenty years of experience helping students build real-world skills and discover meaningful career pathways.

A graduate of South Carolina State University, Ms. Alston holds a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design with a concentration in Business and a Master of Science in Individual and Family Development. Her classroom is a place where empathy, leadership, and hands-on learning come together — and her innovative “Scarves of Comfort” initiative is a perfect example. This project blends service learning, sustainability, and student empowerment, earning recognition from the South Carolina Department of Education and local media.

Ms. Alston was named the 2025 South Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year and is a 2026 AAFCS National Merit Finalist for Teacher of the Year, one of the highest honors in the field. Through her work, she continues to advance the mission of Family and Consumer Sciences by preparing students not just for school, but for life — nurturing the next generation of leaders, creators, and community-minded professionals.

SC School Counselors & Career Specialists Interested in receiving PD hours? Please complete post-episode quiz via link below:

https://tinyurl.com/hiaw35