New principal selected for Round Top Elementary School
November 12, 2020
For the first time in 18 years, Round Top Elementary School (RTE) will welcome a new principal. Starting January 1, 2021, Clarissa V. Bennett will assume the principalship. Superintendent Dr. Baron R. Davis recommended and the Richland School District Two Board of Trustees approved the selection of Bennett at a board meeting Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
“Mrs. Bennett has a long track record of success in Richland Two and particularly at Round Top. She has made leadership development a priority through her attendance in the Assistant Principal Academy, Administrator Development Series and AVID Staff Developers Training among other things,” said Dr. Davis. “She has earned the respect of her colleagues and this administration.”
Bennett will replace current principal, Jeaneen Tucker who is retiring. ”Mrs. Bennett has been a part of my leadership team since 2004 serving eight years as a Speech Therapist and nine years as an assistant principal. She is more than ready to serve as principal,” Tucker said.
Bennett says she is honored and thankful to have been selected and is looking forward to continued partnerships with RTE’s supportive parents and surrounding community. She invites all stakeholders to continue their collaborative efforts to celebrate established traditions, while creating new ones for future RTE Aviators.
“Having worked alongside my RTE colleagues for the past 17 years, I am excited for this opportunity to support our talented faculty and staff as we continue to dedicate ourselves to cultivating a student-centered learning environment focused on nurturing character, well-being, and growth mindset to achieve academic success,” said Bennett. “Most importantly, I am grateful to serve students, guiding them towards reaching the school vision to ‘Empower. Lead. Succeed.’”
Bennett began her educational career as a Speech-Language Pathologist in 1997 and served in that role in Beaufort County School District, and in Richland School Districts One and Two. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and an Educational Specialist degree in educational administration from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C.
Bennett is married to Jameel Bennett, Sr., and they have two sons who attended Round Top Elementary and are graduates of Richland School District Two.
