A seasoned educator with more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience, Heath Branham was hired as Gilbert Elementary School’s principal in 2017 and appointed as Centerville Elementary School's first principal in 2019. Prior to his return to Lexington County School District 1, he served as director of academic operations with Advantage beginning in 2013. In that role, he worked with domestic and international partnership schools throughout China and Taiwan.

A servant leader who believes that all children can and must learn, live and lead a life full of rewarding opportunities, Branham began his career as a teacher at Newberry Middle School in 1995, moving to Prosperity-Rikard Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher in 1996. He became assistant principal at Hammond Hill Elementary School in 1998, joined Whitmire Elementary School as principal in 1999, and moved to Prosperity-Rikard Elementary as principal in 2003. During those years, he also worked as an adjunct instructor at Piedmont Technical College and Newberry College.

In 2005, Branham first came to Lexington District One as principal at Saxe Gotha Elementary School. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of director of elementary schools.

In 2009, he joined Edison Learning and the South Carolina Department of Education as South Carolina senior vice president in the School Turnaround program. In 2011, he took on the role of executive director for school improvement and worked with partnership schools, turnaround schools, and dropout centers across the nation.

Branham received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Newberry College and a Master of Education in supervision and administration from Clemson University.

He is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, Learning Forward, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the International Literacy Association.

Mr. Gantt brings a wealth of experience to Centerville Elementary. He has extensive experience teaching Physical Education and Middle Level Science, having taught at Northside Middle School and Saluda River Academy for the Arts before joining Centerville Elementary. As a physical education teacher at Centerville, he is well-known, respected, and loved by the entire Aviator community - staff, students, and families. His leadership skills were honed during his tenure as an Assistant Administrator at Northside Middle School. He is a strong advocate for student-centered learning, promoting innovative teaching strategies, inquiry-based experiences, and providing opportunities for student voice and choice. Additionally, Mr. Gantt excels in collaboration and communication, working effectively with teachers, administrators, parents, and community members to promote student success.

Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education; Minor in Psychology – Lander University, Greenwood, SC
M.Ed. Elementary Administration and Supervision – Charleston Southern University, SC

Experience:
Classroom Teacher – 13 years — Grades 1, 5, and 6, Saluda District 1, Florence District 3
Lead Teacher – 2 years for grades 5 and 6, Florence District 3
Soar to Success Teacher/Trainer – 1 year, Florence District 3
Reading First Literacy Coach 3 yrs. for Grades K-5, Florence District 3; J.C. Lynch Elementary

Educational Administration:
Assistant Principal –- Lexington District 1, Carolina Springs Elementary (2007-2009)
Assistant Principal – Lexington District 1, Gilbert Elementary (2009 – present)

Areas of Certification:
Elementary Administration and Supervision
Elementary Education
Biology