Principals set to move out, ahead

NORTH AUGUSTA --- Now that she has the master key to Mossy Creek Elementary School, Stephanie Hammond moved closer to the transition from assistant principal to principal.

"It's exciting, but at the same time you're like 'Oh my gosh I'm in charge!' " Mrs. Hammond said Thursday.

She and more than 20 other administrators will move into new roles over the next couple of weeks. Others, including Mrs. Hammond's mentor, Rod Greenway, are saying goodbye to their leadership roles in the school district.

Mr. Greenway, Belvedere Elementary School's principal, was one of more than 100 rehired retirees who were let go this school year by Aiken County schools. His last day is June 30.

The transitions for the new principals and the retirees are very different, but the emotions are similar in many ways.

Mrs. Hammond said even though she's excited about moving on, seven years of memories pull on her heart.

"It's like going to a new home," she said. "You don't want to leave it behind, but there's new things waiting for you."

Filling boxes with pictures and drawings brings with it bittersweet reflections, said Angela Burkhalter, who is retiring as North Augusta Elementary principal.

"It's a parade of memories and emotions. One student gave me a little praying angel statue," Dr. Burkhalter said. "He's a fourth-grader and doesn't have a lot to say, but went to Wal-Mart and spent his own money. When children express their love, the best comes out."

Mr. Greenway's desk is covered in construction paper drawings given to him on the last day as students said goodbye. He said he'll hang on to them to look at later, but it's too much to dwell upon as he packs up.

"I don't want it to be a sad time, but I want to make the best of it," he said.

Mr. Greenway said he was stunned not to be coming back next school year but his enthusiasm for Mrs. Hammond's next career step is like that of a proud father.

"I'm really excited for her, and she's going to be even more effective when she's not tied down with textbooks and discipline," he said. "I'm glad she's not staying here either because I don't want her to be in my shadow. She's been part of everything we've done here. Sometimes she would lead, and sometimes I would lead."

Mr. Greenway said that many assistants need five or more years of training before getting their own school but that Mrs. Hammond was ready in less than three years.

By July, Mrs. Hammond will be in a larger office and get acquainted with the school and her new staff.

"I want to know everything there is to know about the school," she said.

The move isn't just about her getting comfortable, but creating the vision for the school and bringing that to her first staff.

"I'll also have chat day sessions where I've invited the teachers to come in so we can get to know each other and talk about the things they like and the things they want to change," she said.

Reach Julia Sellers at (706) 823-3424 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com