Administrative Team
Mr. Corey Shaw, Principal
Corey Nathaniel Shaw is a transformational leader with a coaching-first leadership style and a deep commitment to student success. A proud product of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), he earned his undergraduate degree from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina, and his graduate degrees in education from South Carolina State University.
With a strong background in psychology and counseling, Corey spent over a decade working at the Institute of Psychiatry, gaining invaluable experience in behavioral health and therapeutic interventions. His expertise in mental health has been instrumental in shaping his approach to student support, particularly in alternative education settings. His career in education includes roles as a Student Concern Specialist at Wando High School, Prevention Interventionist Specialist at Sanders-Clyde, Guidance Counselor at Sanders-Clyde, and Assistant Principal at Sanders-Clyde, Meeting Street Academy at Brentwood. He now serves as the Principal of Liberty Hill Academy, integrating mental health awareness with academic and behavioral growth.
As the architect of Liberty Hill Academy’s Promise-Informed™ philosophy, Corey focuses on individuals’ God-given gifts rather than defining them by past trauma. Under the leadership of Dr. Shavonna Coakley, Corey champions restoration through the ReThink, ReFocus, and ReImagine framework, guiding students to analyze their past, anchor in their strengths, and develop a success plan for their future. His mission is to ensure that every student and staff member recognizes their potential, reclaims their promise, and steps confidently into their purpose.
Mr. Craig Hart, Assistant Principal
Hello My name is Craig M. Hart and I am the Assistant Principal at Liberty Hill Academy. I have been an educator for 26 years and have served in multiple capacities in education to include 8 years as a special education teacher and 18 years as a school administrator. Over my career, I have served as an special education teacher, assistant principal, alternative school director, principal, and district level administrator.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education (1998) and Master of Science Degree (2001) in Individual and Family Development from South Carolina State University. I also have a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina-Columbia (2006). I am an avid SCSU Bulldog fan and South Carolina Gamecock fan. I am a lifelong learner and I enjoy reading and watching insightful documentaries.
I am married to my middle school sweetheart, Lakesha, and we have 3 adult children, Terkessia, Takayla and Craig. I believe that every student has the potential to become someone great and I also firmly believe that student achievement is top priority. In the words of Marian Wright Edelman, “The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to.”
Ms. Cynthia Mellard, Assistant Administrator
I have been working in education with CCSD for over 20 years. I began my education career in special education. I worked as a special teacher for 10 years. I have also served as a restoration specialist and lead teacher. Currently, I am an assistant administrator with Liberty Hill Academy / Windwood Farm. I earned a BS in Sociology from Francis Marion University, a Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of South Carolina and a Masters in Elementary School Administration and Supervision from the Citadel.