New principals
At its regularly scheduled board meeting held Monday, June 5, 2023, the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees approved several new principals for the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Michael Thorsland, superintendent, said, “We look forward to working with each of these individuals as they step into the role of principal.”
Amanda Scott has been named principal of Keowee Elementary. Prior to becoming an assistant principal at Keowee,, she taught third-grade at Blue Ridge Elementary. Ms. Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in administration from Southern Wesleyan University. She is also a graduate of the Foundations in School Leadership Cohort and Building Instructional Capacity Cohort from the South Carolina Department of Education. Ms. Scott taught for seven years at Blue Ridge Elementary and was the director of the SDOC summer reading program before transitioning to Keowee. Amanda and her family have lived in Oconee County for twenty-five years.
Jodie Shirley has been named principal of Ravenel Elementary. Mrs. Shirley’s educational career began at JN Kellett Elementary School as a teacher in 1998. She served as an instructional coach from 2005 to 2013, first at JN Kellett, then at Blue Ridge Elementary School. From 2013 to 2018 Mrs. Shirley was a math and STEM instructional coach, before accepting an assistant principal role at Midway Elementary School in 2018. Mrs. Shirley earned her Bachelors of Science in elementary education from Western Carolina University and her masters in administration and supervision from Clemson University. Mrs. Shirley has resided in Oconee County for 26 years with her husband, a life-long native of Seneca, and their 2 children.
Dr. Mike Cory is the new principal at Seneca Middle School. Hebegan in educational leadership in 2000 at Carver-Edisto Middle School in Orangeburg County. He also served as a teacher, coach and career center director in Orangeburg County. He moved back to Pickens County in 2006 and has served as principal of Gettys Middle School since. Dr. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Clemson University and a master’s and doctoral degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina and Gardner-Webb University, respectively. Dr. Cory and his wife Lee currently reside in Clemson with their two daughters.