Principal for a Day / Principal for a Day

KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL

In fall of 2018, Aiken County Public Schools held its first Principal For A Day event, inviting community leaders and elected officials to experience first-hand a day in the life of a school administrator. Quite an impressive group of community, business and political leaders including the mayors of both Burnettown and New Ellenton, The Mayor Pro Tempore of Jackson, County Council members, HR Managers, CEOs, Vice Presidents, Business Owners, Board Chairs, Directors, Writers, Radio Personalities and Pastors, joined us to learn more about the inner workings of our public schools and demonostrate their support for public education.

As enthusiasm for the event grew, some community leaders asked if they could participate in the second-annual Principal For A Day event. Among those who served as a guest principal were the mayor of Ridge Spring, the North Augusta Chief of Police, a United States Army Sargent, a member of the House of Representatives, an Attorney, the President of a Aiken Technical College, an Executive Editor, A Professor, County and City Council members, Chambers of Commerce Presidents, Business Owners, Directors, Financial Managers and Pastors.

We are thrilled to offer the opportunity to spend a day in the life of a Principal, and are grateful to those who have served as guest Principals.

For the last fourteen years, Mr. David Jameson has been the President and CEO of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. And while he is no stranger to speaking in front of large crowds, promoting Aiken County to the "outside" world, and helping to coordinate one of Aiken's best known events, Aiken's Makin', on Friday, November 15th, Mr. Jameson stepped into some less familiar territory when he became Kennedy's Principal for a Day. Mr. Jameson was one of 40 community leaders who got to experience the inner workings of Aiken's public schools first hand. He spent time shadowing principal, Dr. Ryan Ashley, who showcased some of the amazing programs that Kennedy offers.

Reflecting on his time at Kennedy, Mr. Jameson said, "My day at Kennedy Middle was very insightful. I was very impressed with how the faculty and staff worked for the safety and welfare of each student. The school has an amazing learning and achievement culture. Kudos to all."

The Principal for a Day program is very important because it allows community influencers to really see our schools, our programs, and facilities. This first-hand knowledge makes these leaders more empathetic to the needs of the schools and helps them to be educated in their advocacy of our public school system.