Dr. Tiffany Hall adored her days spent as a classroom teacher. It was through administrative leadership, however, that she envisioned her career pathway transitioning to a professional future inclusive of greater opportunities to serve teachers, students and parents alike.
In the process of building a successful 15-year career in education, Hall waited for the perfect leadership opportunity to present itself. The day arrived in recent weeks when she considered the position of principal at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School for the 2019-20 school year.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved her appointment as the new principal of Leavelle McCampbell during the school board’s April 16 special called meeting. Michelle Padgett, the school’s current leader, previously accepted a new position within the District as Principal of Graniteville Elementary School for the 2019-20 school year.
“I have been waiting for the right school fit for me, and I am really excited about this new opportunity at Leavelle McCampbell,” commented Hall. “I came back home to Aiken County to serve in my own community because education is about building character and meeting your fullest potential. I want teachers, along with students, to map out their career goals and then help get them there. As they grow, I want to help them strive for more and achieve their professional goals.”
“I also want to make sure we are giving tools to our parents and showing them how they can help their kids succeed,” Hall added. “Students have different strengths and weaknesses and we need to help parents understand how they can help their children be successful.”
Hall, an Aiken County Public Schools graduate of Aiken High School who currently serves as assistant principal at Jackson STEM Middle School, says she was attracted to Leavelle McCampbell by the strong sense of community pride in education she has witnessed in the Graniteville area.
“Leavelle Mccampbell is a community-based school with a strong educational tradition and the people care about providing the best possible educational experience for their kids. As a parent of two students myself, I completely relate to that,” stated Hall. “The teachers there are so positive about their students. The same sense of pride in the community is also present within the school as well amongst the faculty and staff.”
Hall is especially active as a community volunteer, something she looks to continue within the Graniteville community. She currently serves as Aiken Junior Woman’s Club Midlands District Vice President, is a member of the United Way of Aiken County’s Young Philanthropist Society, and has served as Aiken Jaycee’s Vice President in addition to serving on the executive leadership team of the American Cancer Society-Relay for Life. Hall is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Aiken, Aiken Young Professionals and serves as a volunteer for the Aiken Downtown Development Association.
“Giving back to the community is really important to me,” commented Hall. “I was a military kid and we moved around a lot. I never really felt like I was part of those communities or that I belonged. When my dad retired here in Aiken, for the first time I felt welcomed and part of a community. I had so many broken educational experiences as well, learning one thing in class in Massachusetts, then something completely different in Florida. The teachers here built so much confidence in me and I am just so appreciative of everything they poured into me.”
Hall says another attraction for the Leavelle McCampbell opportunity was preparing students for the transition to the Early College thematic program at Midland Valley High School.
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to partner with Midland Valley High School to ensure our students are ready for the Early College program if that is one of their goals,” commented Hall. “I am a huge fan of Carl White, the principal at Midland Valley, and the tight-knit school community they have developed there over the years.”
Dr. Hall’s academic background includes a Doctoral degree in Educational Administration and Educational Specialist degree from the University of South Carolina, a Master in Education degree from Grand Canyon University and Master in Secondary Education degree and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Coastal Carolina University.
Prior to serving in her current role as assistant principal at Jackson STEM Middle School, Hall served as assistant principal at North Middle-High School, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and Woodland High School. She has also served as a Social Studies Instructional Supervisor and Fine Arts Liaison with the Clover School District (York 2).
Hall began her career in education in 2004 as a social studies teacher at Mullins High School.
Students have reflected strong academic achievement during her career, including Clover School District posting the highest U.S. History pass rate in the state for the End of Course (EOC) exam (2011-12), improving the graduation rate at Woodland High School from 71 percent to 77 percent (2013) and increasing EOC scores in Algebra I, Biology I and English I (2014). Eighth-grade students in the Orangeburg Consolidated District 5 posted double-digit gains in science (22.8 percent) from 2015 to 2017, and Jackson STEM Middle School students in 2018 had the highest performance in Social Studies on the SC READY assessment at 80.2 percent.
Ahead of the 2019-20 school year, Hall says she will reach out to faculty, staff, students and parents at Leavelle McCampbell to begin building relationships with her future school family.
“Graniteville is a genuine community of caring people,” stated Hall. “They work hard and care about their kids and are just great people. Those same things are at the core of all our people here in Aiken County, no matter where they live.”
She will begin her duties as Leavelle McCampbell Middle School principal in July.
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LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2019 PR DISTRICT NAMES LMMS PRINCIPAL