Administration

Meet Principal Davina Coleman

Davina Coleman has a solid educational foundation and a passion for instruction and culture. She expects educators to see the potential for success in every student entering the building. Her belief is that students should be given the opportunity to develop into lifelong learners through a balanced education that addresses the needs of the individual and the group across the curricular mosaic.

Davina was excited to be named the proud principal of Whale Branch Early College High School in November of 2022. In her short tenure, she has successfully shifted the school’s culture, increased safety measures, and upgraded the facilities with new cafeteria furniture, outdoor seating, signage, artwork, technology. Additionally, she has revamped the culture, leadership, and academic systems of the school.

She has 15 years of educational experience, over a decade of which she served in the Beaufort County School District. She served as Principal of Lady's Island Elementary School from July 2021 to her promotion at Whale Branch Early College High School. Over the course of one year at Lady's Island Elementary, she had the honor of impacting change at significant levels. Under her leadership, Lady's Island Elementary had an increase in students identified as gifted in academics and the fine arts, the school increased at or above the district's math, reading, and science achievement growth, and the school's culture was renewed as evidenced by an increase in the staff's retention rate and an increase in the student population. She had the honor of securing a six figure grant to add Leader in Me as a school choice at Lady’s Island Elementary School.

Davina served as the Assistant Principal of Robert Smalls International Academy from 2018-2021 after serving as RSIA's Numeracy Coach for two years. During her tenure at RSIA, her instructional leadership led to instructional systems being revamped to include Professional Learning Communities, evaluation and feedback, and professional development. The instructional shifts led to Upper Academy's increased proficiency level from Average to Good on the school report card. Additionally, she was instrumental in changing the narrative of the school in the community. Her initiative led to RSIA's social media campaign being revitalized, the physical environment transforming through an artist-in-residence project, and the onboarding of RSIA's new staff as the certified 7 Habits of Highly Effective People's trainer.

Prior to working at RSIA, Davina spent five years at Beaufort Middle School as a highly qualified math teacher, TAP mentor teacher, Math Department Chair, and member of the instructional leadership team and strategic steering committee for the arts. Her time as an educator at Beaufort Middle School produced consistent growth and achievement beyond one year's growth and consistent growth across the math department. Prior to spending over a decade with Beaufort County School District, she was a math instructor for the Joint Education Office Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay for their Military Academic Skills Program where she had the honor of serving Marines, Sailors, and their dependents.

Davina has earned a B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in Mathematics from Mercer University, a M.A.T. in Middle Level Mathematics from Western Governor University, and M.Ed in Educational Administration from University of South Carolina. She is currently enrolled at South Carolina State University to complete her Education Specialist Degree which will lead to her Doctorate of Education. She is an avid presenter at education conferences from the local level to the global arena, leading professional development for BCSD's Induction teachers annually to presenting at Leader in Me Global Summit. She has received the Rotary Clubs distinct honor of being New Teacher of the Year, in which she received a letter of recognition by Congressman Joe Wilson. She has been nominated for Beaufort Middle School's Teacher of the Year and BCSD's Assistant Principal of the Year.

Davina Coleman can be reached by email (Davina.Coleman@beaufort.k12.sc.us) or phone: 843-466-2700.

Uniting the Village: Warriors on the Path of Excellence!!!