Marty Wilbanks

Jerry Martin Wilbanks has been a member of the Newberry Academy faculty since January 2021 and currently serves as the Upper High School Academic Dean. In addition to his leadership role, he teaches a variety of courses including Social Studies, Civics, World History, U.S. History, Music Appreciation, World Religions, and History and Geography of the Bible. Mr. Wilbanks has also developed several of these courses for Newberry Academy, including Music Appreciation, World Religions, and History/Geography of the Bible, helping expand the school’s curriculum and academic offerings.

Mr. Wilbanks earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Christian Education from East Coast Bible College in 1986 after graduating from Whitmire High School in 1982. Before entering education, he spent more than three decades serving individuals with disabilities at the Whitten Center through the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

During his 34-year career there, Mr. Wilbanks worked as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP), coordinating and monitoring services for individuals with profound intellectual disabilities. His work included developing comprehensive Individual Support Plans addressing health, medical, dietary, social, behavioral, recreational, and spiritual needs. He was later promoted to Lead QIDP, where he helped hire and train new staff and served on state committees focused on training initiatives and the development of policies and procedures.

Mr. Wilbanks first joined Newberry Academy as a temporary substitute teacher in late 2020 before transitioning to a full-time teaching role in 2021. He is passionate about helping students understand history, culture, and faith, and enjoys encouraging thoughtful discussion and critical thinking in the classroom.