Long-time Aiken County educator and North Augusta native Dede Scott has been named Hammond Hill Elementary School’s new principal for the 2023-24 school year. Scott has more than 20 years of teaching and school administrator experience and is excited to share the love and passion she has for teaching, learning and leading with the Hammond Hill Elementary community.
Scott began her career as a fourth-grade teacher at Belvedere Elementary School, and also served there as a first-grade teacher. She went on to spend 12 years at Mossy Creek Elementary School, teaching first, third, and fourth grades and serving as the school’s K-5 Math Content Interventionist. She took on the role of District Elementary Math Content Interventionist in 2017.
Scott successfully completed Aiken County Public Schools’ Aspiring Administrator’s program, an opportunity which helped launch her transition into school administration, and she joined Clearwater Elementary as their Assistant Principal in 2018. She faithfully served at Clearwater for the past five years and was nominated in 2022 for the District’s Assistant Principal of the Year award.
“I am thrilled that Dede will be joining Hammond Hill as the school’s new principal,” Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Julie Revelle shared. “It is a joy to welcome our hometown North Augusta girl back to her school community.”
The opportunity to lead a school and make a positive impact on the lives of students, staff, and families in her hometown is a full-circle moment for Scott.
“I look forward to building strong relationships with staff, students and families,” Scott shared following the board’s approval of her appointment on June 13, 2023. “I am honored to take on this role, and I will do my best to create a supportive and engaging learning environment.”
Scott is a graduate of North Augusta High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a Minor in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken and a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration from Southern Wesleyan University. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), a professional honor society of key women educators, and recently completed the District’s Aspiring Principal’s Program.
She will begin her duties as Hammond Hill Elementary School’s principal in July and says she feels blessed to be joining Hammond Hill, a leader among elementary schools throughout Aiken County and the state.
“My goal is to maintain high expectations and challenge staff and students to be the very best they can be,” she stated. “I believe open communication and collaboration between staff and families is key,” Scott added. “I look forward to working together with all stakeholders to move Hammond Hill to an even higher academic status.”
HHES families are invited to “Meet the Principal” on Friday, July 21, 2023. Drop in from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Hammond Hill Elementary to meet Mrs. Scott ahead of the 2023-24 school year which begins on July 25.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: PR DEDE SCOTT NAMED NEW PRINCIPAL AT HAMMOND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR