Colleen Knauer selected to help lead CCSD middle schools
June 3, 2024
Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced Dr. Colleen Knauer as Executive Director of the Middle School Learning Community. Knauer has served as the Principal of Special Projects and Support for the Middle and High School Learning Communities since 2021.
Knauer came to CCSD in 2006 as an English teacher at North Charleston High School (NCHS). Prior to her serving as Acting Principal at NCHS from August 2016 until March 2017, Knauer served as an assistant principal at North Charleston High School, where she directed the Ninth Grade Academy, created and implemented the State Challenge to Achieve Plan and budget, provided instructional support for teacher curriculum teams, implemented afterschool and summer programs, and assisted in hiring and mentoring new teachers and administrators.
In 2017, Knauer was selected to serve as principal at Northwoods Middle School, where she cultivated a positive culture and climate for students and staff while increasing overall school improvement. For the last several years as Principal of Special Projects and Support, Knauer has provided direct support to the Middle and High School Associate Superintendents, as well asprovided instructional support to schools, supported the district’s summer school/credit recovery program, managed high school graduations, and assisted with the management of virtual teachers throughout the district.
“Dr. Knauer has been indispensable to our secondary schools as a resource, support, and coach over the last several years,” said Dr. Joe Williams, Associate Superintendent of the Middle School Learning Community. “I am excited to welcome her to this new leadership role and continue our work together in service to scholars and their families.”
Throughout her career as an educator, Knauer has received several certification endorsements including Read 2 Succeed, Advanced Placement, and Gifted and Talented. She was also nominated for 2016 South Carolina Assistant Principal of the
Year.
Knauer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English from the University of Rhode Island, a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from The Citadel, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northeastern University. She obtained her
principal licensure from the University of Scranton in PK-12 Administration. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston.
