About Mrs. Ledford

Welcome!

I am excited to begin another wonderful school year! This year marks my 23rd year in education, and I continue to love helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Over the course of my career, I have taught second, third, and fourth grades, and I also spent 10 years teaching in Greenville County Schools’ Challenge Program. Working with a wide range of learners has been one of the greatest joys of my career, and each year brings new opportunities to learn, explore, and celebrate success alongside my students.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate (formerly USC-Spartanburg). I also hold two master’s degrees: a Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education in Gifted and Talented Education from Converse University. I am certified in both Elementary Education and Gifted and Talented Education and am considered “highly qualified” by the state of South Carolina.

As a lifelong resident of Greenville County and a graduate of Greenville County Schools, teaching in this community is especially meaningful to me. I was fortunate to participate in the Challenge Program as a student, and it is a privilege to now help inspire the next generation of learners in the very community that shaped my own educational journey.

My husband, Brad, and I live in the Five Forks area and have been married for 23 years. We are proud parents of two wonderful children. Our daughter, Cori Lee, is pursuing a degree in marketing and will celebrate her 20th birthday on Valentine’s Day. Our son, Brooks, will turn 17 on St. Patrick’s Day and is a student at Mauldin High School, where he plays basketball. He also competes on the Puma AAU basketball circuit, which keeps our family traveling and cheering from the sidelines year-round.

When I’m not in the classroom, you can often find me traveling, reading, snow skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, or enjoying time outdoors. Our family loves adventure, whether that means exploring a new destination, spending a day on the lake, or heading across the country for a basketball tournament. I am an advanced-certified scuba diver with specialties in navigation, nitrox, deep diving, and shark diving. Adventure and curiosity have always been important parts of who I am, and those same qualities inspire my approach to teaching.

I truly believe learning should be engaging, challenging, and fun. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel valued, encouraged, and excited to discover their potential each day.

Teaching is one of the greatest adventures I know. Every day brings a new opportunity to learn, laugh, grow, and discover alongside my students. I look forward to partnering with you and your child to make this a successful, memorable, and rewarding school year!

Warmly,

Mrs. Neely Ledford