Administration
Mr. Jacob Perlmutter, Principal
Perlmutter, an alumnus of Academic Magnet, most recently served as the principal of Jerry Zucker Middle School in North Charleston, where he has led since 2011. He also teaches as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance.
Under his leadership, Zucker Middle School has been awarded four consecutive National Showcase School Awards from Capturing Kids Hearts for exemplary outcomes with transformational processes focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness. He was also a national finalist for the prestigious National 2015 Escalante-Grandillas Best in Education Award.
He has taught students from sixth grade to graduate level college classes, with high school teaching experience at Harry S. Truman High School in New York City where he also coached soccer. Perlmutter holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Charleston, a Master of Arts from Fordham University, and a Master of Arts from The Citadel. He is a graduate of the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Connections SC, the Center for Creative Leadership (Greensboro NC), the South Carolina Department of Education School Leadership Executive Institute, and the New York City Teaching Fellows Program.
As a 1995 graduate of the Academic Magnet School, he has a unique familiarity with traditions and legacies that define this special school. “We are confident that Mr. Perlmutter will continue the school’s tradition of academic excellence,” said Dr. Joseph Williams, CCSD Associate Superintendent of Secondary Learning. “He has a natural ability to build community in addition to his instructional gifts. He also brings a unique perspective as a former student and graduate of Academic Magnet.”
Ms. Kylene Gerideau-Grant, Assistant Principal
Throughout her career, Ms. Gerideau-Grant has provided exemplary leadership in her varied professional roles both in education and in the private sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of South Carolina as well as two masters’ degrees in Management and in Educational Leadership. Since leaving the private sector and becoming an educator in 2012, Ms. Gerideau-Grant has taught Career and Technology Education Courses at both the middle and high school level at both Baptist Hill High School and Jerry Zucker Middle School and most recently was the Assistant Administrator at School of the Arts for the 2022-23 school year.
She has been recognized for her exemplary performance in both teaching and leadership roles with a consistent interest in curriculum design and has served on instructional material review panels at the state level (Google Basics Curriculum). She is a trained teacher mentor and teacher evaluator, and is also a nationally recognized educator by the Committee for Children, a curriculum designer (the Second Steps curriculum). She also coached Burke High School’s Charisma dance line and the TC Flag Brigade for 10 years.
Ms. Gerideau-Grant looks forward to joining our high achieving team of faculty, staff, and students. We expect that she will be an exceptional fit at Academic Magnet for both her instructional leadership and her relationship capacity.
Ms. Flashette Johnson, Assistant Principal
Throughout her career in education, Ms. Johnson has provided exemplary leadership in her varied roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of Charleston as well as two Masters’ degrees: one in Education/Administration and Supervision and one in Management and Leadership. Since leaving the private sector and becoming an educator in 2008, Ms. Johnson taught Honors and grade level English Language Arts for ten years and served as a middle school instructional coach for the Berkeley County School District. She joined Charleston County School District in 2021 as the Secondary Lead Teacher in the CCSD Gifted and Talented Office. Ms. Johnson’s efforts over the past three years have led to a 7% increase in secondary students identified as GT and a 66% increase in College Board Advanced Placement certified teachers.
She has been recognized for her exemplary performance in both teaching and leadership roles with a consistent interest in gifted curriculum/instruction, personalized learning, equity, and diversity. She has served on the Test Data Review Committee at the state level for the 2024 SC Ready ELA 6-8 test and as a KnowledgeWorks 2020 Personalized Learning Community Fellow. She currently serves as a member of the Diversity & Equity Committee for NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children). She is a trained teacher mentor and teacher evaluator, and member of the CCSD Instructional Framework Steering Committee.
Ms. Johnson has logged some Academic Magnet time over the past several years and you may recognize her from her work hosting the district-level Academic Bowls on Thursday evenings or from her role in the Achieving Charleston Excellence (ACE) program. We expect that she will be an excellent fit at Academic Magnet for proven commitment to exceptional student outcomes, her strong gifted and talented instructional leadership, and her commitment to diversity and equity.
Ms. Monica Vallejo, School Counseling Director
Monica Vallejo is a native of South Texas where she was born and raised in Corpus Christi. She attended the University of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. While at USC, she was a member of the Coquette dance line and is an avid Gamecock fan. After graduating, she worked as a Continuum of Care behavior specialist for
Carolina Children’s Home in Columbia. She earned a Master’s of Education in school counseling from The Citadel and received her first counseling position at Northwoods Middle School formerly Alice Birney Middle. She was the lead counselor there for 25 years prior to joining the Academic Magnet High School team.
Family has always been very important to Ms. Vallejo who is the 9th of 10 children. Her family now includes her spouse and two furbabies and her hobbies include attending Burn Boot Camp, boating in the lowcountry, and traveling to see family. Ms. Vallejo believes that all children benefit from guidance and support when it comes to developing social and emotional skills to be successful, productive and happy. #MyMagnet is a joyful place full of good health and positive energy!
Coach Raymond Knauer, Athletic Director
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Raymond Knauer moved south beginning his teaching career in 2004 at North Charleston High School. He has served as a coach, teacher, instructional coach and athletic director at North Charleston High School for the past eighteen years. During the past seven years, Coach Knauer has worked to build NCHS athletic programs into a regional force and he leaves a legacy of improved student outcomes on the fields, courts, and in the classrooms. Mr. Knauer reflected, “In my role, I have done anything to meet a challenge and solve a problem. I strive to always serve student athletes and find creative solutions to unique situations,” adding “I am a huge, loyal advocate for my students and my school.”
A former lacrosse athlete, Coach Knauer has some Academic Magnet connections as well... He was instrumental in starting the Raptor lacrosse program serving as assistant coach during the program’s first two years. Coach Knauer has also coached cross-country and football and has invested energy in creating a more robust athletic program at NCHS. He loves the spirit of competition and believes that every sport is important and meaningful for a successful athletic program.
Coach Knauer also brings an outstanding working knowledge of the SC High School League coupled with over a decade of positive relationships with regional athletic directors and coaches. He has formed partnerships with an array of local, regional, and national organizations to serve athletic goals and is known in the local sporting community for his affable trustworthiness and “whatever it takes” work ethic. He knows the systems and processes of the Charleston County School District and is familiar with the local collegiate landscape for athletics.