District Five administrator named SCASA Elementary Principal of the Year

CHAPIN, SC – Long-serving Lake Murray Elementary School Principal Claire Thompson has been named the South Carolina Association of School Administrators Principal of the Year for the elementary school level.

Surrounded by family and colleagues and cheered on by her students, Thompson received the honor during a surprise announcement at her school on Dec. 8.  She has worked as a principal for the last 20 years, including 17 years at Lake Murray Elementary.

“It was a complete surprise, and it’s an honor,” Thompson said. “Being a principal is the hardest job that you’ll ever love. And you do have to love it. People will say to me ‘why are you still doing this?’ It’s because I love it. I love working with parents. I love working with students…So, it’s such an honor to represent all the great principals we have in our district and around the state.”

Thompson became the second Lexington-Richland School District Five educator this year to receive the SCASA’s top awards for school administrators. On Dec. 3, Dutch Fork High School Assistant Principal Sarah Longshore was named SCASA High School Assistant Principal of the Year. Three South Carolina principals each year – one each at the elementary, middle, and high school levels – are selected for the SCASA’s state Principal of the Year honor.

“We are very pleased that Claire has been named as the SCASA Elementary Principal of the Year,” said Molly Spearman, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. “She is dedicated to the students and families at Lake Murray Elementary School.”

A professional organization for school leaders, SCASA has more than 3,800 members statewide. The group’s focus is to support school leaders in providing high quality education through professional development opportunities and research. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level. The group gives awards annually to education professionals, and Thompson was chosen for this year’s Principal of the Year elementary level award by a panel of judges.

District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said, “Claire Thompson is an extraordinary principal. One of the things that is particularly noteworthy about Mrs. Thompson is that the students in her charge have achieved at the highest level every year for twenty consecutive years. Such success is a direct reflection of Mrs. Thompson’s steady, consistent leadership.”