New Principal Announced for Elliott Elementary School

Laurel Bay, South Carolina – Mr. Brian Perry, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Community Superintendent for South Carolina / Fort Stewart, is pleased to announce Mrs. Sara Phillips as the new principal for Elliott Elementary School located in Laurel Bay, South Carolina. Mrs. Phillips will assume her duties on June 30, 2024.

Mr. Perry shared, "We are excited to have Mrs. Phillips join our team at Elliott Elementary School. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for students, continuous school improvement, and instructional leadership. The students and staff will thrive under her leadership."

Phillps' career spans over 15 years within DoDEA. Her journey started in 2009 in Okinawa, Japan. Over the years, she has honed her Special Education and Secondary Language Arts expertise, imparting knowledge and fostering growth. Presently, Phillips held the position of Assistant Principal in the United Kingdom and Okinawa, Japan. Before assuming this role, she served as an Instructional Systems Specialist for Secondary Literacy in DoDEA Americas. She has spearheaded initiatives as the Literacy Committee Chair for the Regional Continuous Improvement Plan and a pivotal member of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Design Team at headquarters. She has led as a Site Literacy Leader at the school level and chaired Continuous School Improvement committees.

Phillips has led the implementation of the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), co-teaching methodologies, 21st-century Instruction, and Literacy advancements. Her vision as an educator extends beyond traditional paradigms, evident in her role in inaugurating a 21st-century school, where she facilitated staff development to embrace innovative teaching models and pedagogical approaches.

Hailing from Illinois, Phillips draws from her military-connected experiences as the daughter of a US Army veteran, the wife of a US Air Force veteran, and the mother of a thriving DoDEA student. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education, with a minor in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in History from American Military University, and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. 
 
As Phillips embarks on her new role at Elliot Elementary School, she remains steadfast in her belief that every student possesses the innate capacity to learn and thrive. Dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment, she empowers students, families, and educators, ensuring a nurturing culture of academic excellence.