Administrators

Dr. Danielle Reilly is the new principal of Wateree Elementary School.

A veteran educator, Dr. Danielle Reilly returns to KCSD with 18 years of teaching and administration experience. She most recently served as the principal of Hyatt Park Elementary School in Richland County School District One.

“Dr. Reilly is a proven leader with experience in both instruction and administration. Her impressive work in elevating school culture and academics demonstrates exactly the kind of visionary leadership we want for Wateree Elementary. We are proud to welcome her back to the KCSD family and look forward to the wonderful things ahead for our students, staff, and families,” says Dr. Harrison Goodwin.

Under her leadership over the last four years, Hyatt Park Elementary has moved 21 points, from an unsatisfactory rating on the SC School Report Card to an average rating, with a score of “excellent” in school culture. Hyatt Park Elementary was also named a Visible Learning Certified Plus school in 2025, and Dr. Reilly is a trained Visible Learning presenter.

Prior to this, she served as the assistant principal for instruction at Eau Claire High and as an assistant principal at Chester Senior High School. Reilly also worked as the coordinator of special education in Berkeley County School District from 2016-2017.

Before moving into administration, she taught special education for 7 years, including time at Lugoff-Elgin High School, Illahee Middle School and Lyndhurst High School. During the 2013-2014 school year she was named the Lugoff-Elgin High School Reading Teacher of the Year.

"Wateree holds a special place in my heart because it’s the only elementary school my three children ever attended. The teachers and support staff there loved them, kept them safe, and helped grow them into the people they are today. To now have the opportunity to return and continue leading a culture of excellence for our students, staff, and families is both humbling and an incredible honor," says Reilly.

Dr. Reilly earned a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and History from Centenary College, a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

She is a member of South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA).

Dr. Reilly resides in Lugoff with her husband Brandon.They have three children, Mia (16), Brandon Jr (14), and Mason (10).

Kristi Brown has been named the new assistant principal of Wateree Elementary School.

For the past eight years Brown has served as a first-grade teacher at Wateree Elementary. During her time at Wateree she has served as a grade-level team lead, district protocol team member, Kershaw County Teacher Forum member, School Improvement Council (SIC) member, and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) member.

“I am incredibly honored to continue serving the students, staff, and families of our school in this new role. Having spent the past eight years in the classroom, I am excited to support our school community in a new capacity while building on the relationships, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence that helps every student succeed,” says Brown.

Brown was named Wateree’s Teacher of the Year during the 2021-2022 school year and was named a top five teacher in the district competition. In 2019, she was recognized as an Outstanding First Year Teacher Nominee. She completed Kershaw County School District’s Developing Administrators Program in 2026.

She received an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from USC Upstate.

A Kershaw County native and graduate of Kershaw County School District, Brown is proud to continue serving the community that helped shape her. She is also the proud mother of her three-year-old daughter, Brooklyn.

Born and raised in Elgin, SC, I am a graduate of Lugoff-Elgin High School.  After graduating from Lugoff-Elgin High School in 2001, I attended the University of South Carolina - Columbia, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education.  I went on to earn my Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC). After graduating from USC, I began my teaching career at Wateree Elementary School. I taught at Wateree Elementary School for several years before moving to Jackson School. While teaching at Jackson School, I earned my Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina - Columbia. I have served as the Assistant Principal at Pine Tree Hill Elementary School and Blaney Elementary School.  In the summer of 2020, I joined the administrative team at Wateree Elementary School.  I am entering my 19th year in education (all in Kershaw County School District).  My career experience includes teaching 3rd and 5th grades, serving as an Administrative Assistant, and working as an Assistant Principal. My favorite subject areas are Math and Science. 

I love spending time with my family, which includes my three fur babies: Maddie, Dusty Rose, and Willow. My favorite sport to watch is football, and as you can probably tell from the place where I earned my college degrees, I am a Gamecock fan!  I look forward to working with students and staff at Wateree Elementary School and West Wateree Early Learning Academy (WWELA)!  

Degrees and Certifications:

• Bachelor's in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education
• Master's Degree in Educational Administration