At the Monday, July 17, 2023 meeting of the Berkeley County Board of Education, board members unanimously approved the appointment of Laura Blanchard as principal of Daniel Island School. Current principal, Nancy Leigh, will assume the leadership of Bowen’s Corner Elementary School.
Their new positions take effect July 19, 2023.
Laura Blanchard, Principal of Daniel Island School
Laura Blanchard began her career in public education in 1989 as a seventh grade teacher at Alice Drive Middle School in Sumter, SC. She served as a teacher at the middle and elementary levels in Sumter until 1993, when she joined Dorchester District 2 as a middle school teacher at Alston Middle. In 1999, Blanchard assumed responsibilities as the assistant principal at Oakbrook Middle, and then served as the assistant principal at Flowertown Elementary from 2000-2003. In 2003, Blanchard was named principal of Knightsville Elementary, serving there until 2007 when she was named principal of William M. Reeves Elementary School. Blanchard invested nine years at William M. Reeves Elementary, during which they were recognized as a Palmetto’s Finest award recipient, before being selected to open Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary School in 2016. Blanchard served there until 2021, and led the school to be named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools Award recipient.
"Ms. Blanchard is an accomplished instructional leader with a proven ability to grow academic achievement and close achievement gaps," said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon. "Her passion for education and commitment to students will shine bright, and I have no doubt that she will expound upon the strong culture and solid foundation at Daniel Island School. I look forward to seeing what the Ospreys will continue to achieve under her leadership!”
Nancy Leigh, Principal of Bowen’s Corner Elementary
Nancy Leigh joined Berkeley County School District as a teacher at H.E. Bonner Elementary in 1993. After serving five years as a first grade teacher, Leigh went on to serve the District as a guidance counselor at Devon Forest Elementary, Macedonia Middle, and Sangaree Elementary. In 2003, Leigh was selected as the Title 1 Curriculum Facilitator at Sangaree Elementary, and, in 2007, she was promoted to assistant principal, Act 135 facilitator and coach of Westview Elementary School. From 2008-2010, Leigh served a dual role as the assistant principal at Westview Elementary and assistant principal at Howe Hall AIMS. In 2010, Leigh transitioned to Berkeley Intermediate School, serving as the assistant principal and Head Start director until 2015. In 2015, Leigh was selected to open Nexton Elementary as their principal where she led and developed special education programs and served as the liaison for students diagnosed with emotional disabilities. Leigh also led the formation of an award winning School Improvement Council and developed several impactful school business partnerships. In 2019, Leigh was named principal of Daniel Island School where she has faithfully served the past four years, leading the Ospreys to recognition as a Palmetto’s Finest Finalist in 2023.
"Ms. Leigh is no stranger to transition, having answered the call just a few short years ago to lead Daniel Island School, and she has built a strong reputation for creating, growing, and sustaining school culture,” said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon. “Ms. Leigh is regarded as a strong instructional leader who can maintain and continue growing the foundation of academic excellence established at Bowen's Corner. I have no doubt that the Bowen’s Corner Eagles will continue soaring under the proven leadership of Nancy Leigh. I truly appreciate her willingness to take on this new role with our Eagles.”