Administration
Principal Shannon Fincannon is now in her 12th year of serving the heart of the hive! She is beginning her 8th year as principal and previously served as the assistant principal from 2014-2018. Ms. Fincannon has a total of 25 years of experience in education. Shannon's undergraduate degree is in Elementary Education from The College of Charleston. She has a Masters of Education from Columbia College and a Masters in Educational Administration from The University of South Carolina. She is the mother of three children and is proud to call D5 home.
Assistant Principal Carolyn Cavanaugh is excited to start her first year as the assistant principal and third year at Irmo Elementary School! She is in her fifteenth year as an educator. Prior to being at IES, she was the Magnet Cooperative Learning Coach here in District Five. While in the classroom, she taught third and fourth grades. Her academic background includes a BA in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, a gifted and talented endorsement, and an M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. (Go Gamecocks!) Carolyn and her husband have three children, one of whom is a student at IES. They enjoy family game nights and spending time at the beach.
Administrative Assistant Principal Suzanne Zais is honored to begin her first year as Administrative Assistant Principal at Irmo Elementary School. She brings over 14 years of experience in education, having taught kindergarten through third grade in Lexington-Richland School District Five and Charleston County School District. Most recently, she served as a third-grade teacher and team leader at Chapin Elementary, leading instructional planning, data analysis, and school improvement efforts.
Mrs. Zais holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Newberry College, an M.Ed. in Administration from Charleston Southern University, and a Master’s Plus 30 in Technology from Idaho State University. She is a graduate of the district’s Leadership Academy and a Student Teacher Mentor.
Suzanne and her husband, Bradley, have three children and are proud to call District Five home. She is passionate about fostering strong relationships, supporting teachers, and ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and challenged.