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In the News: National Principals Month recognized
Hart County Charter System Superintendent Jay Floyd knows from experience how difficult the job of a principal can be.
Principals determine the culture of the schools they lead and the vision for the future of those schools, he said.
As a superintendent, he relies on principals daily to make the five schools here in Hart County run smoothly. That is why he is quick to point out that October is National Principals Month and even quicker to recognize them for the work they do.
“They have to have tough conversations with parents, teachers or students about issues that make other people uncomfortable,” Floyd said. “There is a balance that all principals must walk between keeping students safe, listening to parent concerns and supporting teachers.”
Each principal in Hart County does a fine job with finding that balance, he added.
“We are very fortunate that we have principals with high character and strong work ethic,” Floyd said.
The principals locally all say they have followed their career paths because they have a heart for education.
“I am blessed to be the principal at South Hart Elementary and have the opportunity to lead a fantastic staff of teachers,” said South Hart Elementary Principal J.T. Stewart. Stewart has a doctorate in education and has worked in public education for 18 years.
He said since coming to Hart County four years ago he has seen growth in student achievement and community involvement at the schools. That is in large part because of the faculty and staff, Stewart said.
“I believe that teachers have an opportunity each day to grow and impact the lives of students to prepare them for life’s challenges,” he said.
Stewart’s assistant principal is Julie Franklin.
Haley Smith, principal at North Hart Elementary School, has worked in Hart County since 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Clemson University before moving on to earn a master’s and education specialist’s degree from Piedmont College in teacher leadership.
Like Stewart, she said the faculty, staff, students and teachers all come together to make the schools special places.
“The students, parents, teachers and staff make our school a special place to learn and grow together,” Smith says in her message to students on the school’s website. “My favorite part of being a Principal is getting to see our students explore and build knowledge, as they engage in learning tasks that are designed to meet their needs and challenge them to be their best.”
Smith’s assistant principal is Steve Burton.
Lydia Bennett, principal at Hartwell Elementary, grew up in Franklin County and earned her bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees from Piedmont College. She has been in public education for 23 years.
Bennett’s assistant principal is Ashley McNeil.
She has a background in special education and said she enjoys living the lake life, reading and cooking when she is not at school.
Jacqueline Brock, principal at Hart County Middle School, has been a teacher, counselor and assistant principal at the middle school level. She has an education doctorate and enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching Clemson football and her two golden-doodles.
“I could not imagine being in any other profession,” Brock said. “It is a privilege to serve as the principal of Hart County Middle School.”
Kevin Gaines is entering his eighth year as Hart County High School’s principal. The 1996 graduate of Hart County High School went on to earn degrees from Georgia Southern University, Clemson University and Lincoln Memorial University.
Gaines said he is proud of the accomplishments of the last seven years at the high school and is excited about the future.
“We are committed to achieving excellence and hold high expectations in academic, all extra curricular activity, sports and student behavior,” Gaines said in his message to the community on the high school’s webpage.