Mr. Gambrell

Greetings, Gateway Gators!

My name is Jake Gambrell and I am incredibly honored to serve as Principal of Gateway Elementary School. As a member of the Gateway family, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a school community that cares deeply for children, values strong relationships, and is committed to helping every student grow and succeed. It is a privilege to serve our students, families, faculty, staff, and the greater Gateway community.

Throughout my career in education, I have served as a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, Literacy Specialist, and Assistant Principal. My classroom experience includes teaching kindergarten, second grade, and fifth grade, as well as providing reading intervention for students in first through third grades. Each of these experiences has shaped my belief that great schools are built through strong relationships, high expectations, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to putting children first.

I graduated from North Greenville University in 2008 with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. In 2013, I earned my Master of Education Degree in Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages from Clemson University. I also earned my National Board Certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts in Early and Middle Childhood. Additionally, I added early childhood education to my teaching certificate. In the Spring of 2023, I graduated from Furman University with an Education Specialist Degree in School Leadership.

My wife, Katie, and I have a sweet goldendoodle named Auggie. Katie serves our community as a palliative care physician. We live in Downtown Greenville and enjoy visiting Travelers Rest, often biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail and exploring all that the community has to offer. Together, we enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, serving through our church, supporting the arts in Greenville, and spending time outdoors. In my free time, I especially enjoy running, biking, gardening, and reading. 

As Principal, my commitment is to help create a school where every child feels known, valued, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. I believe our best work happens when students, families, teachers, staff, and community members work together with a shared purpose. At Gateway, we will continue to build a culture grounded in strong relationships, high expectations, consistency, collaboration, and care for one another.

Please know that I am here to support your child, your family, and our incredible faculty and staff. I am proud to be a Gateway Gator and grateful for the opportunity to serve this special community.

For our children,

Jake Gambrell

Principal, Gateway Elem.

jagambre@greenville.k12.sc.us

(864) 355-5211