The Palmetto Scholars Academy Board of Directors is excited to announce and welcome Dr. Kimberly Zerbst as principal at Palmetto Scholars Academy.

Originally from Trumansburg, New York, Dr. Zerbst has a wealth of local experience working with gifted and talented middle and high school students. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked in a variety of roles including teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal at both Charleston School of the Arts and Academic Magnet High School. Teaching is a second career for Dr. Zerbst, who owned and operated a successful business in Charleston for twenty years. 

As a teacher and lifelong learner, Dr. Zerbst obtained National Board Certification after earning her bachelors in Secondary Social Studies Education from Charleston Southern University. In 2013, she entered the Citadel, earning a masters in Secondary School Administration. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Charleston Southern University in 2022 having earned the degree in “less time than any student in the history of the University” according to Dr. Robert Doan, Dissertation Chair. Mr. Perlmutter, Principal at Academic Magnet shared, “Dr. Zerbst has the values and skills that executive level school leadership demand and I expect that she will find joyful purpose in this new chapter of challenging and rewarding work at Palmetto Scholars Academy.”

 Her educational expertise and accomplishments include:

• Established and maintained effective structures for educational excellence at the second highest ranked public school in the United States by partnering with the administrative team, parents, students, and community stakeholders.

• Collaborates effectively with teachers, parents, and students to formulate support systems for students with unique circumstances to drive positive learning outcomes within the multi-tiered systems of support framework.

Upon acceptance of her new position, Dr. Zerbst stated, “Being a teacher and an educator has been among the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have seen firsthand the meaningful change that education can have in the lives of students, families, and ultimately communities. I am genuinely looking forward to collaborating with PSA stakeholders to craft solutions for the individual needs of students.”

Dr. Zerbst is married with five grown children, three grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way. She looks forward to becoming an integral part of the PSA community. While her official start date is April 8th, Dr. Zerbst has already begun to transition to her new role in a consulting capacity with the board.

The Board would like to thank Ms. Terra Poetzscher for her leadership of the school during this time of transition, as well as the members of the Executive Search Committee for their hard work in selecting the new leader of our school. 

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kimberly Zerbst to the Palmetto Scholars Academy family! 

The Palmetto Scholars Academy Board of Directors