Meet Our Principal

Dr. Thomas Turner, Principal

I live my life by the motto “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work as hard”. I am the proud principal of Harbison West Elementary School, and I would like to welcome you to our “A-Team”! I am the product of a two-parent household and spent my entire childhood in Spartanburg, SC. I earned my bachelor’s degree in “Elementary Education” from Benedict College (Go Tigers!). Shortly thereafter, I earned my master’s and doctoral degree in “Educational Leadership” from Capella University. Throughout my educational career, I have served as a classroom teacher, math interventionist, and assistant principal. I am married to my wife, Breitani Turner, and we have one adorable fur baby together. I am humbled at the opportunity to serve the students, parents, teachers and greater community of Harbison West, and take tremendous pride in leading this family-oriented community. Together, we will focus on pushing our students to be HEROes of their personal story, each day.

Meet Our Assistant Principals

Mrs. Sarah Fischer, Assistant Principal

I am so glad to be a Harbison West Hero!  A few things about me...I am a product of District 5 schools.  I started in Kindergarten at Dutch Fork Elementary.  After graduating from Dutch Fork High, I continued my education at Winthrop University.  I graduated from Winthrop with a degree in Elementary Education.  I also have completed a Master of Education degree at Southern Wesleyan University as well as a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.  I am married to my wonderful husband, Robbie, and have a beautiful daughter, Abigail.  

This is going to be a FABULOUS year!

Mr. Phillip Eason, Administrative Assistant Principal

I am a proud graduate of the "Old Wando", Clemson (B.S. Marketing), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div) and The University of South Carolina (M.Ed). I came into education through the PACE program to serve Nursery Road Elementary School-Arts Magnet as the Instrumental Music Teacher. Prior to teaching, I was a professional drummer for Charleston's Sol Driven Train and then served Roper/Saint Francis Hospital and Broad River Correctional Institution as Chaplain. I am married to a District Five star employee, Carolyn Cavanaugh, and we have a blended family of three wonderful children in D5 schools; Stevie Eason, Josephine Eason and Ezra King. I am so proud to serve Harbison West and I will work hard to live up to the HEROES before me.