With a career in education spanning nearly two decades, Bert Postell will begin the 2019-2020 school year as Executive Director of High Schools for the District. Postell’s leadership of District high schools follows that of Alvin Pressley, who served in the role for two years and plans to return home to a similar role in Lexington-Richland School District Five.
Postell currently serves as principal of Silver Bluff and has lead the Jackson/New Ellenton High School since July 2017. During his tenure at Silver Bluff, Postell’s major focus has been on building a positive culture and climate while increasing student academic success. Now the Advanced Studies Academy of Technology, Engineering and The Arts, Silver Bluff’s transformation has been nothing less than remarkable. Implementation of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process has enhanced a positive school culture, while decreasing referrals for classroom disruption. The school’s affiliation with the National Math + Science Initiative, made possible by funding from Centerra, has increased students’ rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) coursework enrollment, as well as success on AP exams.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with such a great faculty and staff that adapts well to the changing needs of our students and community,” Postell commented. “I am excited that I will still get to work with them in a new capacity, while encouraging and supporting their continued progress.”
Prior to serving in Aiken County, Postell led Fort Dorchester High School in Dorchester School District Two first as an Assistant Principal from 2010-2012, then as Principal from 2012-2017. The large high school, with 2,300 students, experienced great success under Postell’s leadership as marked by an increased graduation rate, heightened ACT and SAT scores, greater percentage of End of Course passage rates, and soaring AP enrollment and qualifying score rates.
Postell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Citadel in 1995 and has two Master’s degrees-a Master’s in Business Administration (from Webster University in 2002) and Master of Education (from the University of South Carolina in 2006). Additionally, he holds certifications in Mathematics, Government, Business Education, and as a Secondary Supervisor and Principal.
Postell’s other roles in administration have included serving as an Assistant Principal of Ashley Ridge High School, in Dorchester School District Two, and as an Assistant Principal of Hilton Head Island High School, in Beaufort County. Prior to his administrative roles, Postell served as a Business Education Teacher, Mathematics Teacher, and Special Education Teacher.
“Mr. Postell’s unique skill set has been an asset to Silver Bluff,” Superintendent Sean Alford stated. “This new role will allow a greater number of students to benefit from his disciplined dedication to continuous improvement.”
Postell considers himself very fortunate to have worked with many great high school principals and directors in his time as a teacher and administrator and says he’s looking forward to sharing some of the great practices he’s seen in other schools with Aiken County’s high schools as a whole.
“We have a great high school team,” Postell remarked. “I’m excited to work with such great leaders and can’t wait to get started on July 1.”
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2019 PR HIGH SCHOOL ED