Kelly Reese named Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year

Mrs. Kelly Reese, assistant principal at Lake Murray Elementary School in District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, has been named the 2018 South Carolina Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). This award was presented on Wednesday, November 29^th, in a surprise announcement.

Mrs. Reese was selected from an outstanding field of administrator candidates by a veteran panel of judges. The other finalist for the award were Jaime Cochrane from Finley Road Elementary School in York School District 3 (Rock Hill). The criteria used in the selection of this coveted award are set by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The award is sponsored by Herff Jones, Horace Mann, and Michelin. “We are pleased to announce that Kelly Reese has been named the SCASA Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Beth Phibbs, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.  “She is a compassionate leader who is well respected and valued by the students, faculty, and staff of Lake Murray Elementary School.”

District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Hefner, states, “Mrs. Reese is an essential factor in the ongoing success of Lake Murray Elementary School. She is a very strong leader and a most effective manager.   We are most fortunate to have her as a member of the District 5 administrative team.”

Lake Murray Elementary Principal, Claire Thompson, addresses Kelly’s impact, “Mrs. Reese is an exemplary leader who builds strong relationships as she works with our staff to provide a top-quality instructional program. With wisdom beyond her years, she has proven herself to be a creative problem solver and innovative administrator with compassion to help others. Lake Murray Elementary School is so fortunate to have Mrs. Reese as an administrative team member and so proud to celebrate her as a state assistant principal of the year.”

SCASA, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 4,200 members. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.