Principal Kellie Gebhardt wants the best of the best for her students at Goose Creek Elementary. With that goal in mind, she applied and was the only principal in the tri-county area accepted to the South Carolina Principal Network.
The South Carolina Principal Network is an opportunity offered by the South Carolina Department of Education to help with the recruitment and retention of teachers. The department partners with Urban Schools Human Capital Academy to lead the program.
“When I submitted my application I was hopeful, but what I think that I was able to convey was how passionate I am about becoming a leader who can recruit the best and retain the best,” Dr. Gebhardt said. “I want to be known as a part of the school full of powerful and effective teachers who love children.”
Dr. Gebhardt believes that creating that kind of environment starts with school principals. As Dr. Gebhardt explains, a principal creating a team atmosphere that is respectful and understanding creates confident teachers and teachers are the number one determining factor of student success.
“I feel responsibility for the thousand little boys and girls who are in this building,” Dr. Gebhardt said. “I truly feel like they are my responsibility and to serve my boys and girls the best thing I can do is give them a strong teacher.”
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, Dr. Gebhardt will be meeting monthly with 23 other South Carolina principals on how to better support the teachers at their school and address the statewide teacher shortage. Topics of discussion include but not limited to the new teacher experience, fostering teacher leadership, new teacher retention and teacher selection.
While this is Gebhardt’s second year as a school principal, the other cohort participants have extensive experience in school administration and she feels fortunate to be connecting with them so early in her career.
“I’m excited to learn what other principals are doing,” Dr. Gebhardt said. “I’m excited to improve my skills so that I’m a stronger leader, and I’m excited for what the future holds for Goose Creek Elementary because I think…my students are going to be the recipients of all the benefits of this.”
