Meet Mrs. Fernicola

About Lara Fernicola ~ A Greenville Native, having graduated from Wade Hampton High School, Lara loves living and raising her kids in Piedmont. Although she did live in Charleston for 5yrs (prior to marriage & kids) and wouldn't mind living there again one day, Piedmont is where she calls home. She obtained her Bachelors in Business Administration from Southern Wesleyan University and loves her Clemson Tigers!

Lara and her husband Joe of 26 years have two amazing children - Haley (24) and Jake (21). They both attended Sue Cleveland then went on to Woodmont Middle and graduated from Woodmont High. Haley graduated from Winthrop University in May of 2021 with an Education Degree, certified to teach K-12 General and Special Education. She teaches special needs students in the Fort Mill School District. While attending Woodmont HS she became a Thespian who not only found success on stage but behind the scenes as a Stage Manager too.

An IB Candidate, Jake graduated with Honors from Woodmont in June 2020. He was in Junior Civitans and served as President of the M-PACT Club (encouraging inclusion among special needs students). While he excelled equally on the football field and wrestling mat, it was wrestling that the 2-time State Champion decided to continue at the next level. Jake accepted a full scholarship from Davidson College.

Prior to working at Sue Cleveland, Lara served as Secretary of the School Improvement Council (SIC), attended PTA events, and loved chaperoning field trips. Joe also helped out during PTA events and chaperoned on many field trips. He proposed and participated in a program for boys at SCE that didn't have any male role models at home. Realizing the positive difference being involved parents made in their children's educational experience, they continued to stay engaged at every school their children attended. Lara even served on the PTA Board at Woodmont Middle during the 3 years Jake was there.

Needless to say, your Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator actually walks the talk when it comes to being involved, as she knows firsthand the impact it can have on a child's educational success.