School Principal

Ms. Keisler is beginning her 17th year at Pelion Middle School and first year as principal. She has filled many roles while at Pelion Middle including assistant principal, 6th grade English language arts teacher, 6th and 7th grade mathematics teacher, ELA department head, Math department head, 6th and 7th grade team leader, instructional coach,  lead interventionist, and girl’s basketball coach. In 2007, Ms. Keisler was named Lexington County School District One Distinguished Reading Teacher. Ms. Keisler was also selected as the 2011-2012 Pelion Middle Teacher of the Year and went on to be named as one of the Lexington School District One Top Five Finalists for District Teacher of the Year. When Ms. Keisler started teaching in 2006, the Pelion Community stole her heart. She is excited to be able to continue to serve in the community that she loves.

Assistant Principal

Jason Lehmann joined Lexington District One in 2020 from Connecticut, where he served as principal of East Hampton Middle School. Under his leadership, the school was named a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Model School by the State Education Resource Center two years in a row. Lehmann also served as assistant principal of EHMS for four years prior to his promotion to principal. From 2008–11, he worked as athletic director of Willington Public Schools. Before that, he taught middle school science and mathematics for six years at Hall Memorial School in Willington, Connecticut. He served as the assistant principal of Forts Pond Elementary School from 2020 to 2022. 

Mr. Lehmann earned a Bachelor of Science in middle grades education from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, a Master of Educational Technology from the University of Connecticut and a second master's degree in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University. He also holds certifications in education leadership from both Sacred Heart University and Central Connecticut State University.

Assistant Principal

Joi Walden began her teaching career in 2015, working as a 5-year-old-kindergarten special education teacher at White Knoll Elementary School. In 2016, she moved to CSMS to serve as a math resource teacher. Walden served as an ELA teacher at CSMS from 2017 to 2022. 

In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education, as well as a Master of Education in educational administration from Grand Canyon University, Walden also received highly qualified elementary and multi-categorical special education certification as well as Tier 1 elementary and secondary principal certification.

Her leadership has been integral to the development and implementation of professional development at both the school and district levels. Walden acted as the Summer Connections Lead for English Language Arts, handling operations and management along with Curriculum Development of the district’s Summer Intervention Program. She was a leadership team member at CSMS in the implementation of the relationship-based Capturing Kids’ Hearts program and the attainment of CKH National Showcase School Distinction.

Assistant Principal

Brandy Wood joined Lexington District One in 2016 as a math teacher here at Pelion Middle. At Pelion Middle she has taught 6th and 7th grade math and 7th grade social studies. She served as the 6th grade level lead, sponsor for the Miss Junior Panther pageant and has coached middle school and varsity level cheer. 

Ms. Wood earned her bachelor's degree in middle level mathematics from the University of South Carolina Aiken and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.