AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT WELCOMES KAREN FIERY AS PRINCIPAL OF NEW ELLENTON STEAM MIDDLE SCHOOL
New Ellenton feels like home to Karen Fiery, the magnet school’s newly-named Principal. Fiery, a seasoned educator and visionary leader, has spent most of her career in small schools and recognizes just how special schools like New Ellenton are to the communities they serve.
“It’s not just a school,” she shared. “It's a place where students are known, families are engaged, and educators can make a generational impact.”
Fiery has served in South Carolina schools for the last 17 years, beginning first as an English Teacher at Wagener-Salley High School. She served as an English Teacher and Department Chair in neighboring districts close to her home in Williston from 2010-2017, and later as an Instructional Technology and Professional Development Specialist for Allendale County Schools for two years before returning to Aiken County in 2019 to serve as a Read 180 Teacher at Midland Valley High School, then as the Assistant Principal at Busbee Elementary.
Last year (2024-25), she was named Aiken County Public Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year, and in her former role in Williston, she was named as the high school’s Teacher of the Year (2013-14) and Student Choice Teacher of the Year (2015-16). Fiery is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Foundations of Education from the University of South Carolina and anticipates completion in 2027. She has a Master’s Degree in Secondary Counseling from South Carolina State University, a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Columbia College, and is endorsed in School Leadership and Administration (Western Governors University). She has numerous endorsements, certifications, and professional affiliations, most notably certification as an Elementary and Secondary Principal, Secondary School Counselor, Gifted and Talented Teacher, Literacy Teacher, and Center for Educator Recruitment and Retention (CERRA) Mentor.
Fiery’s leadership journey includes participation in the Aiken County Aspiring Principals Academy (2023-24), which she credits for equipping her with the tools to approach school leadership as both a strategic thinker and a servant leader.
Beyond her impressive credentials, Ms. Fiery is deeply committed to service. She volunteers regularly at the Winfield Heights Community Food Pantry, serves on the board at Shepeard Community Blood Center, and leads youth service projects across the region. Fiery is most excited about working alongside the New Ellenton community.
“I want to honor the pride that exists here by building a school where every student is seen, supported, and challenged to thrive," she shared.
With the opening of the new school year, Fiery is excited to support NEMS’ focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and says her door will always be open.
“I welcome ideas, questions, and hopes for the future of our school. Together, we will build a culture of excellence grounded in trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to student success."