KEN HITCHCOCK

COUNTY — Ken Hitchcock, an assistant principal at Easley High School, will be the new director of the Pickens County Career and Technology Center beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

“The vision I have is to build a really strong relationship between the teachers at the career center and the high schools to work collaboratively to help our kids to move on into careers they are interested in,” Hitchcock said. “I’ve always been a supporter of career and technology education and how it has engaged a lot of kids who could become disinterested in the regular classroom.”

Hitchcock was confirmed as the choice for the post by the school district board of trustees on Feb. 9. He will replace Leonard Williams, who plans to retire at the end of this school year.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Hitchcock as the new director of the Pickens County Career and Technology Center,” said Dr. Kelly Pew, district superintendent. “He will continue to build on the partnerships that have been established with our business community. He recognizes the importance of preparing our students for the skilled workforce that is needed in Pickens County.”

Hitchcock began his educational career at John Ford Middle School in St. Matthews as a geography and history teacher. He also taught at Greenwood High school before coming to Liberty High School in 2003. In 2006 he was named the curriculum assistant at LHS, and he moved to Easley High School in 2008 as an assistant principal.

At EHS, Hitchcock worked with Tri-County Technical College to create a dual-credit certificate program with the high school, the first program of its kind in the Upstate. He also initiated the High Schools That Work program at EHS. His professional development related to career education includes attendance at the National Career and Technology Conference, the National Policy Seminar for Career and Technology Education, and the High Schools That Work National Conference. He is a member of the Association for Career and Technical Education, the South  Carolina Association of School Administrators, and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association.