“It feels like going home,” Mr. Perry Smith commented on his administrative promotion to Jackson STEM Middle Magnet School. Smith, currently the Assistant Principal of Leavelle McCampbell, was recommended and unanimously approved by school board members at this evening’s meeting to serve as principal of the school. His service at Jackson STEM Middle will begin next month.
Smith is from Beech Island and a former student of Area 5 schools, including Redcliffe Elementary, Jackson Middle and Silver Bluff High School. While much has changed at Jackson Middle since he was a student there, especially with the implementation of an AdvancED accredited STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program, he looks forward to the small community feel and high expectations for students that has remained.
Smith is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration from South Carolina State University. He is certified in Educational Leadership from Georgia Regents University and earned an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership-Curriculum and Instruction from Cambridge College. Smith has two Master’s Degrees – one in Special Education from Cambridge College and another in General Education from Southern Wesleyan University. His Bachelor’s degree is in Science (psychology) from South Carolina State University.
A decade of experience as a Special Education Teacher prepared Mr. Smith well for leadership in Aiken County. His first administrative role with the District was as an Assistant Principal at North Augusta High School, where he served for two years and founded the “We Are Men” mentorship program for at-risk young men at the school. In August 2016, Smith transitioned to Leavelle McCampbell Middle School to serve as an Assistant Principal.
“Middle school is a pivotal time in a student’s life,” he commented. “Jackson STEM Middle Magnet School has a unique program that exposes students to a number of high demand job opportunities.”
“Jason Holt (Jackson’s outgoing principal who was recently named principal of his own former middle school, Paul Knox) and the teachers at Jackson have done a great job preparing the school for continued success,” Smith added. “They set the cornerstone that will guide and encourage our future work.”
Building and improving upon that cornerstone is just what Smith plans to do.
“We are going to emphasize academic achievement, support and extend existing partnerships, and connect with the entire community,” he continued.
“I am blessed to be where I am,” he said. “This is an aspiration come true.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Alize’ Graham, Summer 2017 Aiken County Public Schools Communications Department Jump Start Intern.
ACPSD Communications Dept.