James Simons Montessori interim principal named for 2022-23 school year
June 6, 2022
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is proud to announce and welcome Elizabeth Dillenkoffer as interim principal at James Simons Montessori School. Dillenkoffer has served as assistant principal at James Simons since 2018.
Dillenkoffer began her education career as a special education teacher teaching students with emotional disabilities from 2004-2010 at West Ashley Middle School and Liberty Hill Academy. In 2010, she took the role of a behavior specialist where she created data-informed interventions for students in need in collaboration with students’ home schools and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) teams.
Two years later, Dillenkoffer joined the administrative team at Jerry Zucker Middle School as an assistant principal. While serving at Zucker, Dillenkoffer participated on the MTSS team, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team, faculty senate, and teacher teams. She coordinated Title I planning meetings, oversaw the writing of the school’s Title I plan, served as school testing coordinator for SCAlt, end-of-course (EOC) exams, ELDA, SC Ready and SCPASS testing. Dillenkoffer also oversaw and participated in the school improvement council (SIC) and parent/teacher organization (PTO), as well as the School in Communities needs assessment and site plan development and review.
In 2018, Dillenkoffer took the assistant principal position at James Simons Montessori School. During the past four years, Dillenkoffer has been instrumental in supporting students and staff through the delivery and coordination of professional development, as well as utilizing restorative practices when responding to student or staff concerns. She also bolstered school wellness by developing a sports program for adolescent students including volleyball, basketball, and track.
Dillenkoffer earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Mississippi State University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The Citadel. She is CPI trained, holds a National Board Certification, a Montessori Administration Credential, and has served as a CCSD Restorative Practices Facilitator.
For more information, contact the Division of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD), a nationally-accredited school district, is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, 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.
