Kippy Kelly Named New Principal at J.D. Lever Elementary School for the 2023-24 School Year
Kippy Kelly has invested in the development of students, faculty and staff at J.D. Lever Elementary School as assistant principal for the last five years. She will continue her support in an enhanced role as the school’s principal for the 2023-24 school year, which officially began July 1.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved Kelly’s appointment as the new principal at J.D. Lever Elementary School during the school board’s May 23, 2023, regularly-scheduled meeting.
“I am so honored to be named principal of J.D. Lever Elementary School,” Kelly stated. “Being a part of Lever for the past five years, I have been able to develop relationships with families, teachers, students, and our wonderful community.”
Kelly, who is entering her twenty-sixth year in education, began her career as an elementary teacher in Edgefield County Public Schools where she was named South Carolina Outstanding Young Educator in 2002.
Prior to serving as an assistant principal at J.D. Lever Elementary, Kelly worked as a district administrator in Edgefield County before transitioning to school administration as an assistant principal at W.E. Parker Elementary School.
A twenty-time recipient of the Westinghouse Savannah River Company Excellence in Teaching Mini-Grants program, Kelly is committed to creatively impacting the lives of the students and staff she serves for good.
Kelly’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken along with a Masters in Administration and Supervision and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, both from Clemson University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
With a goal of continuing to bring families together and work to bridge the school and home relationships, she looks forward to continuing the great work underway at J.D. Lever.
It takes parents and teachers working together to teach our children. “Since the pandemic, families have been missing from our schools,” Kelly commented. “That is something I want to change!”
“We are looking forward to Mrs. Kelly’s continued leadership at Lever,” Aiken County’s Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Julie Revelle shared. “I am really excited to see her continue the wonderful work they’ve been doing with professional development for the teachers at J.D. Lever.”
Kelly also noted her enthusiasm about the professional development opportunities at J.D. Lever. She is looking toward the future of her school and what the faculty and staff can accomplish together.
“I am most excited to continue the tremendous work our faculty and staff have begun with our professional development,” Kelly mentioned. “We are passionate about growing our students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, and we are just getting started!”
J.D. Lever families are invited to “Meet the Principal” on Friday, July 21, 2023. Drop in from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at J.D. Lever Elementary to meet Mrs. Kelly ahead of the 2023-24 school year which begins on July 25.
