Our Leaders

Ms. Melanie Harris, Principal

HEC Families,   

I am looking forward to a great year of leading and learning with you all. This is going to be an amazing year and I can't wait to meet all of our wonderful families.    District 5 has been a great part of my educational career. I am a proud D5 graduate and attended Chapin schools. I hold a B.S. degree from Winthrop University in Elementary Education, a Masters of Education in Divergent Learning from Columbia College, and a Master’s of Education in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. I am entering my 13th year in education. I spent nine years in the classroom as a 4th & 5th grade teacher at Oak Pointe Elementary. Most recently, I served as the Administrative Assistant Principal at Chapin Elementary School for two years.  This is my third year as Assistant Principal at HEC! 

My faith and family are very important to me. My 11 year old son keeps me busy as he loves the game of baseball. We enjoy being at the ball fields on the weekends, hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying a good book or movie. We are USC Gamecock fans, whether football or women’s basketball, Columbia Fireflies baseball, and we enjoy NFL Sundays too! I love traveling, enjoying a good book, and shopping the most!

I am looking forward to meeting the students, faculty, staff, and community of H. E. Corley and carrying on the rich tradition of excellence in this community and in our wonderful school district. Please feel free to contact me if you should have any questions or concerns.

Melanie C. Harris

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”

~Helen Keller

Mr. Jason Bebber, Assistant Principal

I am incredibly excited to join the H.E. Corley Elementary Leadership and Montessori Magnet. 

I am in my 14th year as an educator having served as a classroom teacher across multiple grade levels for 10 years at both Six Mile Elementary in Pickens County and at River Springs Elementary in D5. For the last three years, I served as the administrative assistant principal at Irmo Elementary School. I presently have obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Clemson University, a Master of Arts in Principles of Learning and Teaching from Clemson University, I am gifted and talented endorsed, and I have a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University. 

As a graduate of D5 through the Irmo schools, I look forward to continuing to support this amazing community and in striving to give back more than I have received. I am married and have two children. I enjoy being outdoors, backpacking, camping, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends. I am excited to have the opportunity to serve and help lead the H.E. Corley students, parents, and staff. I would love to answer any questions or concerns that you may have, and am always open to new ideas and solutions on how to best support our students. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of service.

Jason Bebber

Mrs. Julie Carothers, Administrative Assistant Principal

Welcome to H. E. Corley Leadership Magnet School, where we create leaders one child at a time.  

I am excited to be part of H. E. Corley Leadership Magnet School.  We, at H.E.C., believe that every child has a genius and that it is our job to find that genius.  John Quincy Adams once said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."  This is my aspiration as an educator.  I am excited about working with your children and discovering the genius within each of them.  

Julie Carothers