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Leadership Team

The West Ashley High School Leadership Team is a dedicated, experienced group of leaders who bring a wealth of expertise from diverse backgrounds across multiple professional fields. Our administrators and directors are highly educated, with backgrounds spanning decades of service in education, leadership, and public safety. This blend of expertise ensures that every decision is informed by a well-rounded perspective, creating a unified focus on our shared goal: to best serve Wildcat students and the West Ashley community. We are committed to fostering a supportive and challenging environment where every student can achieve excellence.

Principal Brandt Headshot

Principal: Dr. Andy Brandt

 Dr. Brandt proudly leads West Ashley High School, a role he considers the most rewarding of his career. Originally from central Pennsylvania, he earned his B.S. in English Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After moving to Charleston in 2012, he taught and served as an Assistant Principal at Morningside Middle School, completing his M.Ed. and Ed.S. at The Citadel. Dr. Brandt joined WAHS in 2019, earning his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University before becoming Principal for the 2024–2025 school year. He is deeply committed to serving the students, families, and community of West Ashley.

Associate Principal: Joshua Sherman

Mr. Sherman is in his 19th year in education and his sixth year with CCSD. He spent his first 14 years directing middle and high school band and orchestra programs, fostering a passion for music in students. For the past four years, he has served as an Assistant Principal and Associate Principal at WAHS and is proud to work in and call the West Ashley community home. Passionate about supporting students and staff, he loves watching the school thrive. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing drums, and golfing.

Student Caseload: Fer-Hen

 

Associate Principal Sherman Headshot
Travis Gladden Headshot

Assistant Principal: Travis Gladden

Mr. Gladden brings a decade of dedicated service to CCSD as he enters his 10th year in education. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from South Carolina State University and his Master’s in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University. After spending much of his career teaching mathematics within the district, Mr. Gladden is proud to support our students and staff as a Wildcat in the West Ashley community.

Student Caseload: T-Z

Assistant Principal: Mikkail Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins is a proud Wildcat returning for his second tenure at WAHS and is in his 17th year in education. A former college football player at Carson-Newman University, he is a proud family man who enjoys spending time on the boat and the golf course. He previously served as an Assistant Principal at both Ashley Ridge and Hanahan High Schools. Mr. Jenkins loves the West Ashley community and is glad to be back serving the Wildcat community.

Student Caseload: Pri-S

Assistant Principal Jenkins Headshot
Lauren Padjen Headshot

Assistant Principal: Lauren Padjen

Mrs. Padjen has been an educator for 14 years, working as a technology teacher in Charlotte, a school counselor in Fort Mill and Charleston, and now an assistant principal. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her M.Ed. in Counseling and Development, School Counseling from Winthrop University, and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Administration from the Citadel. She is excited to join the Wildcats as an administrator and is looking forward to contributing to the positive school culture and dedication to academic excellence found at West Ashley. 

Student Caseload: Her-Lu

Assistant Principal: Nate Pearson

Mr. Pearson brings over 20 years of educational and athletic leadership to our school community. A former Division I soccer player at Radford University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science, he began his teaching career in Virginia before relocating to South Carolina. Prior to joining the Wildcat family, he spent 17 years serving in diverse leadership roles at North Charleston High School. He earned his Master's in Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University and is proud to serve the community that he calls home.

Student Caseload: Ly-Pre

Assistant Principal Pearson Headshot
Assistant Principal Robinson Headshot

Assistant Principal: Tristan Robinson

Mrs. Robinson is a veteran educator in her 28th year and her 20th with CCSD. She earned her B.S. in Marketing Education from East Carolina University (Go Pirates!), her M.S. from UNC Greensboro, and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Charleston Southern University. She is proud to be part of the Wildcat family because of the positive school culture, amazing students, and the way everyone supports and lifts each other up. When not at school, you can find her reading, crafting, or cheering on her ECU Pirates!

Student Caseload: Bu-Fen

 

Assistant Principal: Shannon Turner

Ms. Turner is a Charleston native and CCSD graduate currently in her 12th year in education. She earned her B.S. in Middle Level Education from the University of South Carolina and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from The Citadel. After beginning her career at Morningside Middle School, Ms. Turner joined the Wildcat family and has served in key roles as a Testing Coordinator and now Assistant Principal. She highlights the strong sense of community at WAHS, valuing the opportunity to work alongside like-minded people for the betterment of the students.

Student Caseload: A-Br

Assistant Principal Turner Headshot
Counseling Director Willis Headshot

School Counseling Director: Kristan Willis
Student Caseload: 10th-12th Grade, P-R

Mrs. Willis, in her 17th year in education, is WA's dedicated School Counseling Director. Her academic background includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from North Carolina Central University and an M.S. in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. She values the unique diversity of the Wildcat community, stating:  "At West Ashley, I get to interact with students and families from all walks of life. The community is like no other in Charleston, and I love being a part of it personally and professionally. I hope that the work we are doing inside the building makes the community a better place to live, work, and play in."

 

Campus Security Director: Clyde King

Coach King is dedicated to ensuring a safe campus, drawing on 17 years of law enforcement experience as a patrol officer and School Resource Officer, including 5 years at WAHS. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Charleston Southern University and an M.A. in Criminal Justice from American Military University. Beyond his director role, Coach King invests in students as a softball and girls' golf coach.

Clyde King Campus Security Headshot

Instructional Coach: Sandra Cannon

Instructional Coach Cannon Headshot

Instructional Coach: Mackenzie Hill

Mackenzie Hill Headshot

Climate Coach: Angel Simmons

Angel Simmons Headshot

InSTRUCTIONAL DEPARMENT CHAIRS

  • Exceptional Children Au/Li, Credential: Julie Frost (julie_frost@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • Exceptional Children Resource: Kema Bryant (kema_bryant@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • CTE: Lorien Cafarella (lorien_cafarella@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • English: Sandra Cannon (sandra_cannon@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • Fine Arts: Josh Wald (joshua_wald@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • Math: Phil Mouthaan (philip_mouthaan@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • NJROTC: Jason Constant (jason_constant@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • PE/Health: Tyson Azevedo (tyson_azevedo@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • Science: Katie Mullock (katie_mullock@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • Social Studies: Anthony Ludwig (anthony_ludwig@charlestoncountyschools.gov)
  • World Language: Julia Royall (julia_royall@charlestoncountyschools.gov)