Administrators

Julie Painter was a National Board certified English teacher, a Theatre teacher, and an English/Theatre teacher during her first sixteen years in education with a one-year stint as an Education Specialist for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. She moved into administration as the English Language Arts Coordinator for School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties before becoming the Academic Dean for Innovation at River Bluff High School, serving in that role for seven years. Mrs. Painter spent two years working at White Knoll High School as the Assistant Principal where she was named the high school South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year for 2020, transitioning to her current position as the Principal at Pleasant Hill Middle School that summer (GO COUGARS!).

Mrs. Painter earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!), a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education, Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.

She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA).

Sara Bates is excited to join the Pleasant Hill Middle School family.  She was the Lead Interventionist as well as a Leadership Team member at Lakeside Middle School for four years.  Prior to providing intervention support, Sara taught math and science at Lexington Middle School.  Sara started her teaching career as a math and science teacher at CrossRoads Intermediate School in School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties.  She holds Elementary, Middle Level Math and Middle Level ELA certifications as well as endorsements in Read to Succeed and  Gifted and Talented instruction.  Sara participated in the Aspiring Assistant Principal Cohort.  She earned a B.S. in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education, Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Fouty is a graduate of Gilbert High School.  She attended the University of South Carolina where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2006.  She continued her education at the University of South Carolina, receiving her Masters in Teaching and Masters in Educational Administration.  

She began her teaching career at White Knoll High School as an English Teacher until 2021.  She then transitioned into her position as Assistant Administrator at Pleasant Hill Middle School.  

Mrs. Fouty holds certification in 9th-12th grade English Language Arts, Read To Succeed and is a National Board Certified Teacher.  

Ryan Phillips is excited to join the administration team at Pleasant Hill Middle School.  He previously served as an Administrator at Irmo High School.  Prior to joining administration, Mr. Phillips taught middle school Social Studies at Chapin Middle school in Lexington School District Five and Muller Road Middle School in Richland school district Two.  

Mr. Phillips is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Political Science.  In 2022 Mr. Phillips received a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.  Outside of work Mr. Phillips enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, playing with his dog, playing golf, music, running, and drinking coffee.