Midland Park interim principal to serve permanently

March 13, 2022

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is proud to announce Ian James as the permanent principal at Midland Park Primary School. James served as the assistant principal at Pinehurst Elementary School in North Charleston from 2013 to 2021. He has served as the school’s interim principal during the 2021-2022 school year.

James began his career in education as a physical education instructor at Springfield Elementary School in 1997. After two years, James relocated to the West Coast to Washington State where he served as a case manager for Friends of Youth. As case manager, James developed and coordinated community services to assist homeless youth in gaining education, housing, and employment.

Several years later, James rejoined the K-12 education system as a school counselor at White River High School in White River School District. During his two years at White River, James applied the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) model elementary guidance system, developed individual graduation plans (IGPs), presented at quarterly parent nights, and provided a career pathways focus on transitioning to post high school education and employment opportunities.

Similarly, James went on to serve as lead school counselor at Cedarcrest High School in Riverview School District in 2005 where he directed the development of a master course schedule, served as the school’s crisis response team leader, and coordinated 504 plan identification, evaluation, and implementation.

In 2009, James returned to CCSD as the school counselor at Pinehurst Elementary. As school counselor, James facilitated key counseling services directed out of Response to Intervention (RTI) and PBIS data, as well as administered system support for continuous program development. After serving in this role for four years, James became the school’s assistant principal in 2013.

James earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from The College of Charleston, a Master of Education in Counselor Education from The Citadel, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The Citadel. He also holds a South Carolina elementary principal certification and has extensive experience and training with Leadership Blueprint, Read to Succeed, Multi-tier Systems of Support (MTSS), and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

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) is a nationally accredited school district committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves approximately 49,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs.

CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.