Fort Mill High’s Dee Christopher named ‘Principal of the Year’
Fort Mill High School Principal Dee Christopher was named the South Carolina Secondary Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators in a surprise presentation at the district office Wednesday.
Christopher’s parents, wife and children were all on hand for the presentation. Christopher’s dad, Reggie Christopher, spent 40 years in public education and was awarded the same honor in 1986.
“He has worked hard and done a wonderful job,” Reggie Christopher said.
“His strongest point is relationship development and his love for the kids. He really loves the kids.”
The South Carolina Association of School Administrators uses an application and interview process to select the Secondary Principal of the Year. Recommendation from the district’s superintendent is also required.
“He is very deserving,” said Fort Mill schools Superintendent Chuck Epps. “We talk about the quality of people on our staff. He is a great representative of our district.”
All of the district’s principals were gathered for a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday morning and were on hand to congratulate Christopher. He said he was overwhelmed by the honor and was particularly moved to have his family and peers with him for the presentation.
“I think the work that principals do is so important, to lead men and women, students, is so vitally important today,” Christopher said.
He acknowledged the importance of all the school administrators in the Fort Mill district.
“Having you at the district who care about kids every day, it makes a difference. It makes a difference in the quality of life for us, our family, and for students who are getting a 21st-century, top-notch education,” Christopher said.
Christopher has been principal of Fort Mill High School since 2006. He completed his educational specialist degree in 2011 and said he hopes to complete his PhD.
About Dee Christopher
Dee Christopher graduated from Wren High School in 1986 and received his bachelor’s degree from Furman University in 1990 and a master’s degree . from The Citadel in 1999.
Before coming to Fort Mill, he taught, coached and worked in administration at:
▪ Castle Heights Middle School in Rock Hill.
▪ Ninety Six High School in Ninety Six.
▪ Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston.
▪ Summerville High School in Summerville.
▪ Lugoff-Elgin High School in Lugoff.
He also spends parts of every summer on staff with Palmetto Boys State.
This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Fort Mill High’s Dee Christopher named ‘Principal of the Year’."