Amber Sainz named Principal at Julian Mitchell Elementary
May 18, 2020
Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced and welcome Amber Sainz as principal at Julian Mitchell Elementary School. Sainz joins the district from Republic, Missouri where she has served as an elementary principal for the past three years. Current Mitchell Elementary principal Deborah Smith is retiring this summer after a decades-long career in education.
Sainz comes to CCSD after serving as an elementary principal in Republic Schools and Hollister Schools in Missouri for the past five years. Sainz began her career in 2000 as a second grade teacher in Missouri’s Willard Schools. In 2004, she became a reading recovery and Title I teacher instructing and supporting students in first through fourth grades in literacy. She continued as a Title I and second grade teacher in Republic Schools for several years before transitioning to become an instructional coach. As an instructional coach, Sainz attended an intensive two-year training in Kagan Cooperative Learning while also serving as a literacy coach for her district. Over the next six years in these roles, Sainz prepared and delivered professional development as well as modeling and coaching to teachers, developed ELA curriculum, facilitated a school tutoring program, and received Cognitive Coaching training.
Sainz earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Reading from Missouri State University. She also holds a Reading Recovery Certification from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Science in Educational Administration. In addition to her elementary principal, secondary principal, special reading, and elementary education certifications, Sainz is expected to graduate with a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Lindenwood University in August 2020. Sainz also has a comprehensive background in initiatives such as Response to Intervention, Leader in Me, Jan Richardson RISE, Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS), and Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees districtwide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
