Berkeley Leader

Berkeley County School District is excited to recognize Dr. Kellie Gebhardt as the new principal of Goose Creek Elementary.

Gebhardt formerly served as the assistant principal at Sangaree Intermediate. While she said she will miss her Sangaree family a lot (“It’s definitely bittersweet,” she said), Gebhardt is excited to get to work at Goose Creek Elementary and aims to build strong connections within the community.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, the students and the families, and making sure we’re all working together to take the students to a whole new level of success,” she said.

Board members appointed Gebhardt as the new principal during Tuesday night's board meeting.

Gebhardt started her teaching career in the district 18 years ago at St. Stephen Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher. She then moved to Whitesville Elementary to teach fifth-grade math and work as a coach helping teachers apply Common Core standards. She came to Sangaree Intermediate in 2009 to serve as curriculum coach, and became the assistant principal seven years ago. She was recently named the school district’s Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.

Gebhardt said she has always enjoyed the excitement and energy that comes from elementary-aged children.

“You have no choice but to have a smile on your face – you’re surrounded by children all day long,” she said. “I feel obligated to provide them with an educational experience that teaches them to love to learn and love their school. I think elementary schools are so paramount in determining students’ love of learning for the rest of their lives.”

Gebhardt actually grew up in the Berkeley County area – she graduated from Stratford High and now has children of her own in the school district.

“I’m a BCSD product, employee and parent,” she said.

Her plans for the remainder of the summer involve reaching out to community members and making sure the school is starting off with a strong support for the students.

“I want to make sure Goose Creek Elementary is truly the hub of that community and that everyone is working together for the success of the students,” she said.

Gebhardt’s first official day as Goose Creek Elementary’s principal is July 1. 

“I’m excited – I’m ready to go,” she said.

_{Source: https://www.bcsdschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=890&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=81526&PageID=1}