Phone: 843-471-2301

E-mail: blanchardl@bcsdschools.net

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.

She's very excited to start her career in BCSD at Daniel Island School.

Phone: 843-471-2301

E-mail: grizzlel@bcsdschools.net

Ms. Grizzle is not from the Charleston area. She was born in Florida but moved to Georgia and Maryland during her adolescent years. She attended Georgia Southern University for her undergraduate degree and continued at Kennesaw State University for her Master’s in Education Leadership.

Ms. Grizzle has been in education for 23 years. Her experiences have included teaching third, fourth and fifth grades as a classroom teacher, interventionist in grades kindergarten through second, a curriculum coach for grades kindergarten through fifth, and an assistant principal for 11 years. Her experiences include working in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and Cobb County, Georgia. She moved from the Atlanta area several years ago and landed a job in Berkeley County as a Title I Facilitator at Goose Creek Elementary School.  She has three daughters Katherine, Julianne, and Maggie.

Where the Red Fern Grows and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane are two of her favorite books which she has enjoyed sharing with students over the years. She enjoys reading, running, traveling, college football, and spending time with her daughters.

Phone: 843-471-2301

E-mail: BurnsworthJ@bcsdschools.net

Mr. Burnsworth is entering his 17th year of education all with the Berkeley County School District. The 2022-23 school year will be Mr. Burnsworth’s first year serving as Daniel Island School’s middle school assistant principal. He comes to Daniel Island with a wealth of knowledge and experience with various leadership roles in Berkeley County School District.

As a teacher, he spent 10 years as a visual art teacher at Berkeley Middle School. While at Berkeley Middle, he created and infused an award-winning/cross curriculum visual art program. Multiple student awards were won by Berkeley Middle students, consisting of 1st place awards in various local and national shows. In 2010, he was selected as Berkeley Middle School's Teacher of the Year. Later in 2010 he went on to be selected as a top three finalist for district teacher of year. In 2016, Mr. Burnsworth transitioned to Cane Bay Middle School as an assistant principal. While at Cane Bay Middle he was over all local and state testing, 504s, IEPs, community relations, discipline, teacher instruction, teacher evaluations and anything that included the arts.  

In 2020, Mr. Burnsworth transitioned into the role of Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for Berkeley County School District. While at the central office, Mr. Burnsworth assisted in creating the first district music and theatre script library; received federal funding to purchase $500,000 worth of new instruments; created the first district arts task force and developed the re-entry COVID plan for all fine arts teachers. Mr. Burnsworth received his undergraduate degree from the University of Saint Francis with a major in Art Education, K-12. He also holds two master's degrees in the areas of Special Education and Elementary/Middle School Administration. Mr. Burnsworth is extremely excited to be part of the Daniel Island School team!