Ms. Kay M. Gooding, Principal

Welcome to Barnwell Elementary, Home of the Mighty Mustangs! I am beginning my 32nd year in public education! WOW! Time has flown by! I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina-Aiken, a Master's Degree in Education and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Cambridge College. My career has afforded me the opportunity the work at the classroom, school, district, and state levels. I also recently completed Apple Teacher Certification and Google Educator Level 1 Certification.

As principal, my goal is to foster strong relationships not only with our students, but also with parents and my hometown community. I look forward to continuing to build our school culture that has inspired students, faculty & staff members to reach their maximum potential.

Although I don't have any children of my own, I love to spoil my nieces, nephews, and cat. My hobbies include reading, traveling, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Don't hesitate to contact me at kgooding@bsd45.net or at 803-709-4127, if you have any questions/comments about our school.

Mr. Jared Thrasher, Assistant Principal

This year, I am beginning my twelfth year in Education. My undergraduate degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies was earned from Clemson University in 2011. Go Tigers! More recently, I earned my Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Western Governors University. In my nine years spent in the classroom, I was blessed with the opportunity to teach at Barnwell High School, T.L. Hanna High School (Anderson), and Northside Middle School (Lexington). Throughout those nine years, I coached multiple sports, including football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and track. Although I loved every second of my time as a classroom teacher, I am thrilled to begin this new chapter of my professional life as an administrator!

As the assistant principal, my primary goal is to ensure that all of our students and staff members are safe, cared for, and supported in such a way that they can achieve anything they set out to do.

I have a beautiful wife that I have been married to for almost 10 years, and two amazing boys, Davis and Boone. I love watching my Tigers play, spending time with my boys and my wife, watching high school or college football, and binge-watching Netflix.

Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help. I can be reached in the following ways:

Email: jthrasher@bsd45.net

Office Phone: (803)541-1288