Phone:
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Degrees and Certifications:
B.S., Newberry College M.Ed., University of South Carolina Ed.S., University of South Carolina Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Dr. Megan Carrero
Megan Carrero is in her 22nd year of service to middle level education in South Carolina and first year at Lakeside Middle. Her professional path to Lakeside includes 21 years of service in Lexington School District Two as a middle level science teacher and coach at Pine Ridge Middle School and assistant principal and principal at R.H. Fulmer Middle School.
Throughout her career, Dr. Carrero has been involved in the S.C. Association of School Administrators (SCASA), S.C. Association for Middle Level Education (SCAMLE), National Association for School and University Partnerships (NASUP), S.C. Middle Grades Initiative (SCMGI), S.C. Education Policy Fellowship (SC-EPFP), and serves on multiple advisory boards and committees in the College of Education at The University of South Carolina. She has been recognized by SCASA as the S.C. Middle Level Principal of the Year (2022), Newberry College Hall of Master Teachers (2022), SCAMLE Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award (2023), and a University of South Carolina Champion for Education (2023). In addition to her passion for middle level education, she is actively engaged in the clinical preparation of preservice teachers, state and federal education policy, Professional Learning Communities at Work, and school leadership development.
Dr. Carrero is married to her husband, Joseph, and they have two sons, William and James. Outside of Lakeside, she enjoys being a sports mom, enjoying time on the water, reading, cooking, and cheering on the Gamecocks.
Phone: 803-821-3705
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Justin Cegelis
8th Grade Assistant Principal
Justin Cegelis came to Lexington Middle School in 2020 after two years as Assistant Principal at River Bluff High School and ten years of service in Lexington School District Two. Prior to his time at River Bluff and Lexington School District 1, he spent four years at Airport High School as an Assistant Principal. He also taught health and physical education and coached football and baseball at Brookland-Cayce High School.
He is married to Meghan Cegelis, who currently teaches Kindergarten at Meadow Glen Elementary School, and lives in the Lexington School District One community. He has three sons Aaron, Cole, and Landon (LT).
Mr. Cegelis obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina. He also received his Masters in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Cegelis enjoys cheering on the Gamecocks, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Cleveland Browns! He also enjoys coaching little league baseball, playing golf, playing the piano, and going to the beach.
Phone: 803-821-3706
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
B.S. Middle Level Education, Winthrop University M.Ed Education Administration, University of South Carolina Middle Level Math Middle Level Science Secondary Principal
Alex Pinto
7th Grade Assistant Principal
Alex Pinto joined Lakeside Middle (formerly Lexington Middle) as an assistant principal in 2021. She has worked with middle school students throughout her entire educational journey, including teaching 7th grade math and science in Lexington Two and 6th grade math in Richland Two. Her favorite part of working with middle school students is seeing them discover their voices and passions while navigating the middle school phase.
Mrs. Pinto holds a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education from Winthrop University and later earned a master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. She was honored as Lexington Two’s District Teacher of the Year for 2020-2021.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Mrs. Pinto enjoys traveling, supporting the Gamecocks, and spending time with her family, friends, husband, and pups (a black lab and husky mix).
Phone: 803-821-3833
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Jessica Vicari
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Jessica L. Vicari, PH.D., is an educator with more than 16 years of experience. She started her career in 2007 at Lexington Elementary School, teaching both second and fourth grades. In 2014, Dr. Vicari moved to Pleasant Hill Middle to teach English language arts. She was there for three years before transferring to Gilbert Middle to become the school’s instructional coach. In addition to teaching in Lexington District One, Dr. Vicari also serves as an adjunct instructor at both Converse College and the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Vicari earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. She holds a Master of Arts in Education in divergent learning from Columbia College, a Master of Arts in Education in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix, and a Masters +30. She also earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in language and literacy from the University of South Carolina. She holds a literacy specialist endorsement and a gifted and talented endorsement.
