With over a decade of experience as a school building leader and twenty-six years of experience as an educator, Hammond Hill Elementary School Principal Eric Jeffcoat felt the time was right to pursue a new leadership role. When one of Aiken County Public Schools’ two positions for elementary school executive director was posted, he eagerly applied with the hope of supporting elementary Aiken County principals and empowering them as building leaders.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved Jeffcoat’s appointment as a new Executive Director for Elementary Schools for the 2021-22 school year during the school board’s May 25, 2021, regularly scheduled meeting. Dr. Mendi Tucker, one of the school district’s two elementary school executive directors, is retiring at the end of June.
“I’m very excited about this new opportunity and I’m ready to get started,” stated Jeffcoat. “When I left the classroom and decided to go into administration, it was because I knew I could have a greater influence on an entire school. This position attracted me because I know I can have greater influence on an entire school district and work with principals in helping them to improve their skills and be more effective in their schools. That really encouraged me.”
Jeffcoat’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministries and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia International University. He also holds a Master of Science in Education degree in Leadership for K-12 Programs.
Before serving as principal at Hammond Hill Elementary beginning in the 2016-17 school year, Jeffcoat served as principal at Hardeeville-Ridgeland Middle School in Jasper County, SC, and as principal at Windsor Elementary School in Richland County, SC. Additional roles in Jeffcoat’s career in education include that of an assistant principal and classroom teacher. He was nominated for ACPSD Principal of the Year during the current school year, and was selected as Principal of the Year in the Jasper County School District during the 2015-16 school year.
Jeffcoat feels his experience as a building leader will serve him well in his new position.
“I will be able to listen to the needs of the principals and at times help them understand the perspective of the whole school district because as principals we are focused on our buildings and families, as we should be, but at times we need to step outside of our school and see what is taking place across the entire school district,” commented Jeffcoat. “Having fifteen years of experience as a principal and having served in schools with very high poverty to low poverty will also help me better serve our principals here in Aiken County.”
During his time as a school administrator, Jeffcoat implemented the Leader in Me Program, his schools have been honored with Palmetto Silver Awards for academic achievement and academic growth, he has increased the diversity of school faculty and staff members, and he has led substantial building construction and renovation projects, among other achievements.
Jeffcoat says his most recent service as a committee member alongside a team of District and community leaders who jumpstarted the school district’s ongoing Strategic Planning initiative let him know the timing was right for him to pursue a new opportunity with the District.
“I really enjoyed serving on that committee and I knew it was the right time for me because I knew the direction we were moving in as an organization and I really like the direction we’re moving in as a school district,” stated Jeffcoat. “Being a part of that was very fulfilling.”
Ahead of the 2021-22 school year Jeffcoat says his summer plans are to close out the current school year at Hammond Hill Elementary and assist with the transition of the school to its new building leader before moving into his new role on July 1.
“I’m going to miss being at the school level and seeing the staff and students at Hammond Hill Elementary, but I’m also going to enjoy working with all of the elementary schools and serving at the district level,” added Jeffcoat. “Having the opportunity to help guide policies, procedures, and improvement, that part of this new role really excites me,” added Jeffcoat.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2021 PR ELEM EXEC DIRECTOR