We are excited to announce that LeAndrea Montgomery has been selected as the new Director of LSC’s Flagship Campus - the Primary Academy - located in the historic former Liberty Street Elementary School at 15 School Street. Wrapping up his 14th year in public education, Mr. Montgomery brings a wealth of experiences from Title I schools as a former elementary school teacher, instructional coach, & assistant principal. Currently, Mr. Montgomery is the principal of Hemingway Elementary School in Williamsburg County School District.
He joined the Williamsburg County School District in 2017, where he served as the assistant principal at Kenneth Gardner Elementary School and as an instructional coach at Greeleyville Elementary School. He is a graduate of Clemson University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Athletic Leadership. He received his Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University. Mr. Montgomery is a native of Greeleyville, South Carolina. He is a member of the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and a member of the nationally acclaimed “Call Me MiSTER” Program founded by Clemson University.
When asked why he chose to seek out this opportunity, he says, “I chose this professional opportunity as the Director of Liberty STEAM Charter School’s Primary Academy because its innovative approach aligns with my belief in holistic education.” He also shared, “As a hands-on administrator, I value the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families, fostering a supportive learning environment and, at LSC, I see the opportunity to cultivate a community where every child's academic, social, and emotional needs are prioritized.” Mr. Montgomery also states, “I'm excited to collaborate with a dedicated team to implement dynamic educational strategies that nurture students' curiosity and creativity. Together, we will empower young minds to excel academically while also developing the essential skills and qualities they need to thrive in the ever-changing world beyond the classroom.”
Throughout the six-step selection process, Mr. Montgomery had a chance to interact with multiple stakeholders to include parents, board directors, faculty, & support staff. Greg A. Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Director says, “We are excited to provide Mr. Montgomery this career pathway with the necessary supports to grow his school leadership abilities. LeAndrea’s passion for supporting young people is unmatched, and I look forward to him modeling our culture of love & excellence for years to come.” James Lybrand, Jr., parent of a current kindergarten scholar, participated in the final selection process and says, "Mr. Montgomery's interest in both scholar and faculty success is an unmatched attribute. I believe his collaborative spirit and pursuit of teamwork will help maintain and foster the great learning environment already in place at LSC." Kristen Richardson, another current kindergarten parent who also participated says, “I believe Mr. Montgomery will be a great asset to the LSC family. He has numerous qualifications and wonderful stats with parent involvement & culture at previous schools, and I look forward to working with him.”
Julie Jeffcoat, the 2024-25 Primary Academy Support Staff Member of the Year, shared "Mr. Montgomery brings a reputation of building positive relationships and improving the cultural climate for scholars, parents, and staff. He's not afraid to roll up his sleeves in classrooms to get the job done!" Rashyra Smiling, the Primary Academy Instructional Coach, said, “Mr. Montgomery is dedicated to fostering a successful culture for scholars, families, & staff. His established track record demonstrates his unwavering commitment to achieving excellence in all areas.” Executive Director Dr. Trevor Ivey stated “It’s clear through the selection process that Mr.
Montgomery is an educational leader who sets big goals, invests in his scholars & families, plans purposefully, executes effectively, continually strives to increase his effectiveness, and works relentlessly.” On a personal note, Mr. Montgomery enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching sports in his spare time. Mr. Montgomery will assume his duties & role responsibilities on July 1, 2024.
Released to Internal Stakeholders on 5/16/2024 & External Stakeholders on 5/17/2024.