KERSHAW, S.C. (WBTV) - Lancaster County Schools is celebrating a new milestone after one of its principals was named South Carolina’s Elementary School Principal of the Year.
At a time when the state is seeing an educator shortage, organizers who award these titles hope it inspires people and shows how great the education profession can be.
Kershaw Elementary Principal Kelli Overcash has been at the school for almost a decade. It’s easy to see the energy she brings to a room. Now, she’s being recognized as South Carolina’s Elementary School Principal of the Year.
“My first thought was, I am so excited for the people here because they have worked so hard. So, this is not about me at all, it’s about the work that they do and the growth that the kids are showing,” says Overcash.
This is a first for Lancaster County Schools. This year, the school district also began its own Principal of the Year program, and Overcash was its first recipient. After nearly three decades in education, the executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, Quincie Moore, said she’s seen the impact Overcash has made.
“Academic achievement has soared under her leadership. But that’s a box that I love, but not the most. What I love is she’s tried to create a culture,” says Moore.
For the last 10 years, South Carolina has seen vacant positions in schools, peaking at 16% in 2024, according to InformEd SC, which says high turnover can impact student achievement. Moore says recognition like this shows what the profession has to offer.
Moore explains, “When you recognize folks like this, then others see wow, this is a great profession and why we need great leaders and teachers to take care of the children in the state of South Carolina.”
Lancaster County Schools Superintendent Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick says leadership can also play a role in educator retention.
“If you have a great leader like Mrs. Overcash, many times you don’t have individuals leaving the field, or leaving the school, or leaving the district. And I think the turnover here is very, very low because of her exceptional leadership,” says Fitzpatrick.
Overcash says some of the best advice she would pass on to future educators is that the product in education is a person and you want to create smart and good people. She says the Kershaw Elementary School team works to do that every day.
She says, “So, we’re working on academics, but we’re working on social and emotional, behavioral — it’s the whole package. So, we’re helping raise kids along with the community. We have a great community."
Download the for the latest stories sent straight to your phone.