Our Principal

Ms. Jody Swanigan

Jody Swanigan is the founder and Principal of East Cooper Montessori Charter School. She is a passionate proponent of the effectiveness of authentic Montessori practices in our public programs and serves proudly on the South Carolina Montessori Alliance Board of Directors. The success of ECMCS has brought several humbling personal accolades such as Charleston Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award (2007) for professionals under the age of forty making a difference and the Public Charter School Alliance, Administrator of the Year in 2010. The success of ECMCS has served as a model for the effective implementation of Montessori methods and charter schools on both the state and national levels.

Jody holds a Bachelor’s Degree and South Carolina State Certification in Elementary Education, Montessori certification at both the primary and elementary levels, plus a Master's Degree and State Certification in Elementary School Administration. She taught Montessori elementary students for 10 years before accepting the position as Principal of East Cooper Montessori Charter School (ECMCS) in 2003. 

The arrival of Jody’s first child and her title change to working mom in June of 2010 has served to reinforce Jody’s commitment educational innovation and authentic Montessori practices for both the community and her beautiful daughter.