New principal named for Cainhoy Elementary School

Cainhoy Elementary School (CES) has a new principal. The Berkeley County Board of Education approved the hire of Mrs. LaWanda Glears of Huger for the school’s top leadership post at its August 28 board meeting. Glears will fill the role once she is released from Charleston County School District. Cainhoy Elementary’s previous principal, Aidra Shaw, accepted a position as the principal at Westview Primary in July.

Glears steps in at CES with a deep connection to the community. She grew up in the Cainhoy area and is a graduate of Cainhoy High School.

“This has been a dream for me,” she said. “I grew up in this community, so I am just elated to be able to come back and give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

Several members of the community showed up in support of Glears, so many that they filled half the board room.

“I see the potential for Cainhoy,” Glears said. “There are so many people who are very interested in the success of the school. It’s evidenced by the people here today.”

Glears’ resume boasts nearly 30 years of experience as an educator, most of which has been spent in administrative roles. She comes to BCSD from a role as a guidance counselor at Laing Middle School in Mount Pleasant. Before heading to Laing she was an assistant principal at Northwoods Middle and Zucker Middle.

“We’re excited about the rich background and invaluable experience Mrs. Glears brings to Cainhoy Elementary and the Cainhoy community,” BCSD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Ingram said. “We look forward to her building upon the positive learning environment at the school.”

When it comes to what stakeholders can expect initially, Glears said it can all be summed up in one word — engagement.

“That’s getting teachers, parents, the community engaged in the development of the school,” explained Glears. “It’s bringing everyone together, all of the stakeholders, and making sure we are all on the same page – which is to educate the students of Cainhoy Elementary so that they can be successful in life.”