Ms. Loretta Hart, Principal

With great excitement and honor, I have the opportunity to lead Mary Ford Early Learning and Family Center. A school with such a rich legacy and pride. I look forward to meeting all of you and working alongside the community. I have dedicated sixteen years of my career to the students of Mary Ford. I started my career as an early childhood classroom teacher at Mary Ford and then moved on to a master reading teacher/interventionist. I then became an assistant principal for five years. And now, as the principal. I am eager to continue the work and dedication of my time and skills to serving the Mary Ford community.

I view education as a life-long process and expect that I will continue to learn much more about the uniqueness of our students, staff, and families this year and in the years to come. Most importantly, I bring a belief that students are at the center of all school-related decisions. I am excited to unite my experience, openness to learning, and child-centered approach to support our students. Because the relationships between families and the school are vital to the success of our students, I encourage you to become involved in every way possible.

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Mr. Brian Keough, Assistant Principal

I originally hail from North Carolina and have called Charleston home for 14 years now. Prior to teaching, I was a Communications Director/Graphic Artist for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. I am still known to doodle, sketch, and paint, but I found my true calling as a teacher as a second career. This led me from the Raleigh area (down-east state capital) to the Boone/Hickory (up-west Appalachia) area where I learned essential life skills such as mountain driving, snow (and lots of it), and ax-throwing at the Highland Games.

During my career in education, I have taught Third Grade (which is why I still tell bad jokes…), served as a college professor and program manager in Teacher Education, gained skills and perspective as a teacher and student success coach, and provided district-level supports here in CCSD as an Instructional Coordinator in Literacy and Curriculum. I have been blessed to serve as an AP for eight years at Hunley Park, Mitchell ES, and now Mary Ford. In this role, I get to practice all the things I love about education – working directly with students and families, supporting teachers and staff, and being part of a school family.

Outside of school, I am what my friends and family describe as a “beautiful nerd with power tools.” I am an avid cook, home remodeler and handyman, car mechanic, community volunteer, and reader. I am passionate about literacy as it has played such an important role in my life, and has taught me that regardless of my skill level, I can learn anything (especially now with YouTube...) I look forward to sharing my many blessings with the Mary Ford family for years to come.

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Ms. Trish Anderson, Program Specialist

Trish Anderson presently serves as the Program Specialist for Head Start and Early Head Start at Mary Ford Early Learning and Family Center. Anderson has spent the last 20 years in Early Childhood Education working with teachers, families, and young scholars creating successful school environments where students thrive.

Prior to joining Mary Ford, Anderson served as an Educational Consultant in the state of Utah working as a teacher coach and school culture ambassador.

Anderson spent 10 years in Educational Administration as the Founding Director of Meeting Street Schools in Charleston and Spartanburg, South Carolina. There she spearheaded the launch, vision, and opening of two new public / private partnership schools dedicated to student achievement and the importance of social and emotional growth for all students.

Anderson gained her early experience as an elementary school teacher in Charleston and Berkeley counties. She received her undergraduate degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and received a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston.