Elevation Schools

Jacqueline K. Haynes is the Executive Director of Elevation Schools with the Charleston County School District in Charleston, SC. Her goal is to level the playing field for students of color so that access to college and higher-level learning is attainable. Mrs. Haynes previously served as the Director of Achievement Schools with the Hillsborough County Public School System in Tampa, FL. Her unique perspective and personalized approach in mentoring other professionals has resulted in many leaders advancing to higher-level positions. In addition, turning a school around from a “D” status to an “A” status by pushing forward high academic standards and rigorous coursework for all students is one of her proudest accomplishments. She holds A National Teacher Center Certification in Coaching; Courageous Conversations Affiliate Certification in Equity (Glenn Singleton); and D.E.E.P. Certification (Equity).

Ms. Haynes has served on several national committees and has participated in a National Professional Learning Community with the Wallace Foundation, where she is featured in a publication and video titled, The School Principal as Leader: Guiding Schools to Better Teaching and Learning. She believes that shifting Principals from building managers to one of leading instructional change will ensure that ALL students receive a quality education. Ms. Haynes has earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling; ED.S in Innovative Education; and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of South Florida. She is the former principal of Howard W. Blake High School, where she was named the first African-American Female High School Principal in Hillsborough County.

She is a proud graduate of Florida State University, BA in Education; University of South Florida, ED.S. in Innovative Education, and currently a USF Doctoral candidate. She resides in Charleston, SC with her husband, Anthony L. Haynes and is the mother of Arielle Haynes Burnette, married to Christopher Burnette of Atlanta, George, and Anthony L. Haynes, II, of Miami, Florida.

White has served as the Executive Director of the Elevation Schools Learning Community since 2025.

White first served in the field of education as a classroom teacher at Claude Pepper Elementary School in Miami, FL, starting in 1992. She spent seven years in Florida before returning to South Carolina briefly to teach pre-Algebra at St. Georgia Middle School. In 2001, White returned to Miami as a mathematics facilitator at Irving & Beatrice Peskoe Elementary School, followed by a two-year post as a lower quartile mathematics teacher at Henry S. West Laboratory School.

Returning to South Carolina indefinitely, White joined CCSD as an assistant principal at Sanders-Clyde Elementary School in 2009. In this role, White created the school’s master schedule for all grade levels; supported the implementation of the school’s vision, mission, and goals; participated on several Induction teams and SAFE-T teams; completed Competency-Building Plans; facilitated Goals Based Evaluation (GBE) meetings; and assisted the principal with all aspects of school operation and instruction. She also served as interim principal for several months in 2011.

In 2012, White was named principal at James Simons Elementary (now Montessori). During her time at James Simons, White facilitated the implementation of a full Montessori program for students age three to eighth grade, planned and opened a new state-of-the-art school facility, and worked to ensure that the needs of her students and families were met through planning and programs with valuable partners such as Charleston Promise Neighborhood (CPN), Trident United Way, and Parent Advocates. In 2017, White was named principal at A.C. Corcoran Elementary School where she served for four years before becoming Principal of Special Projects and Support for the Elementary Learning Community in 2022.

White holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Barry University, a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Florida State University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership form Nova Southeastern University. The recipient of several awards and accomplishments, White was named the 2013 CCSD Rookie Principal of the Year and received the 2019 Channel 2 Cool School Award. She also completed her Montessori Administrator certification and the South Carolina School Leadership Executive Institute program. White is a member of the National Education Association, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, and the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

Lashawna Harris has served as the district’s Director of Instructional Programs since 2019. Harris brings over 20 years of diverse experience developing and implementing programs to increase student academic success to the role. She began her career in 1998 as a CCSD classroom teacher at R.D. Schroder Middle School in Hollywood, SC, where she taught sixth through eighth grade social studies. During her time at Schroder, Harris served as department and grade level chair, as well as a Mentor and Cooperating Teacher.

In 2005, Harris took her talents to Berkeley County at Cross High School where she taught eighth grade social studies. While at Cross, Harris improved student achievement resulting in 75-80% student proficiency on the Palmetto Achievement of State Standards (PASS) while collaborating with grade level and department team members to improve instructional delivery.

A standout in her field, Harris was quickly selected by the State Department of Education (SDE) to become a Teacher Specialist two years later at St. George Middle School to provide instructional coaching to the Social Studies Department. While with the SDE, Harris developed 6-8 curriculum maps to support the implementation of content area standards, as well as organized and facilitated professional development focused on improving student academic success. Overall, she led an 11% increase in the Social Studies Department Standardized Test Scores during her time in this role. With a keen interest in growing professionally as a school administrator, Harris took the position of Title I Facilitator at Cross High School. As the Title I Facilitator, Harris managed the annual Title I operating budget and served as testing coordinator for South Carolina Department of Education Standardized Testing, including HSAP, EOC, and PASS. She also organized and facilitated a parenting program, resulting in increased parental involvement and a 16% increase in School Report Card Survey Results in the areas of teacher and parent satisfaction with school-home relations.

Harris joined CCSD’s Learning Services division at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year as the leader of the district’s Virtual Schools program. As the leader of this program, Harris coordinated the management of all operations and functions of the CCSD Online Learning Department, including online, distance, and virtual learning programs, in a manner consistent with state and district policies. She also successfully implemented the CCSD Virtual Franchise to expand course offerings in partnership with VirtualSC and coordinated with stakeholders to implement the CCSD Distance Learning Program to expand AP course offerings for rural Title I schools. In her current role as Director of Instructional Programs, Harris works collaboratively within her division to align instructional programs planning and organizational procedures with the goals and action steps outlined in CCSD’s strategic plan and adopted guidelines. She also provides leadership to ensure integration and cooperation between the coordinators of CCSD instructional programs and school-based administration and staff.

Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Education in Student Diversity from Southern Wesleyan University, and an Education Specialist degree in Leadership from Cambridge
College.