On this episode of Kids First, part one of a two-part conversation, Keven Cohen welcomes Dr. Brenda Hafner, school leader of Liberty STEAM Charter: A School of Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact in Sumter, joined by Superintendent Chris Neeley. Hafner shares the full-circle story of returning to Sumter, a community she once served as assistant superintendent, to lead a school she has admired from afar for years. She and Chris celebrate just how much Liberty has accomplished since its founding, from hitting one hundred percent of its charter goals and earning top marks in academics, finance, and operations to recent Cognia recognition as a Distinguished School, all while carrying a waiting list of more than two thousand families eager to get in. Stepping into a school with such strong bones, Hafner makes clear she has no intention of resting on its success.
The conversation then turns to what comes next, including Liberty's steady growth one grade at a time toward a future high school built around in-demand career pathways, where students can graduate with an associate's degree, a workforce credential, or a clear path to college or military service. Hafner talks about the school's deep commitment to military families near Shaw Air Force Base, its Purple Star support, and the hands-on, innovation-driven learning that pairs students with real industry partners to solve real-world problems. Along the way, Keven previews a deeper look at the Liberty way, the culture of accountability and genuine parent partnership that sets the school apart. It is an energizing glimpse at a beloved Sumter school entering an exciting new chapter.
🔗 Learn more: https://libertysteamcharter.org/
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