On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Stephen A. Deyo Jr. to principal of Gilbert Elementary School, effective July 1. Deyo replaces current GES Principal Will Moody, who is taking on a new role as the district’s employee development coordinator. Deyo currently serves as the assistant principal at Pelion Elementary School.

A 19-year educator, Deyo dedicated his career to students, staff and families by creating a positive, safe and accepting school environment that provides outstanding educational opportunities for students to grow and learn.

In 2003, Deyo stepped into the classroom at Wren Middle School in Anderson School District One to teach science and social studies. Deyo was promoted to assistant principal of Oakview Elementary School in Greenville County Schools in 2008, then transferred to Mountain View Elementary School, also in Greenville, where he served as the school’s assistant principal for eight years. During this time, he also worked as the varsity and junior varsity baseball coach at Blue Ridge High School within the same district. In 2019, he joined the Lexington District One family as assistant principal of Pelion Elementary School.

Deyo graduated from University of North Carolina at Asheville with a Bachelor of Science in management, as well as the Elementary Licensure Program. He earned a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Clemson University. He holds elementary principal, supervisor and teacher certifications, and middle-level science and social studies certifications.

A member of the S.C. Association of School Administrators and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Deyo is also a former member of the S.C. Association for Middle Level Education, the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association and the S.C. Track and Cross Country Coaches Association. He completed the Lexington District One Aspiring Principals Academy.