Administration

Mr. Jeff Blankenship

Mr. Blankenship is originally from North Carolina and moved to the Lowcountry to attend the College of Charleston where he was a pitcher on the baseball team.  He is entering his 26th year as an educator, having spent his first 18 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Wando High School.  Mr. Blankenship piloted a course named "The History of Conflict and War" and compiled a 135-24 record over five years as the Head Varsity Baseball Coach before becoming an Assistant Principal in 2010 and Associate Principal in 2017.  In August 2019, he was named Principal of the East Cooper Center for Advanced Studies.  Mr. Blankenship hopes to shape the future of our CAS by carrying on the vision of the late Lucy Beckham to East Cooper students, where every child graduates with a "viable plan, a realistic plan for what to do next and have the education and skills to do it."

Mr. Blankenship and his wife Jennifer have three sons, Jake (17), Sam (15), and Anderson (7).  They are passionate about their UNC Tar Heels and enjoy hitting the beach, spending time out at the ball fields, and taking family road trips.  If it were up to the boys, every night would be a family movie night!

Ms. Dana Rodgers

Hi! My name is Dana Hancock Rodgers and this is my 24th year in education and my 21st year as an administrator. I have served as a principal, assistant principal and as a teacher here in CCSD. My most recent position, prior to joining the ECCAS admin team, was at Burke High School where I served as an assistant principal for the past 7 years. Before joining the Burke team, I served as an administrator at both Daniel Jenkins Academy and Cario Middle School.

Prior to joining CCSD, I was the Director of Admissions and Guidance at First Baptist Church School. My goal as an educator is to ensure that all students graduate career and/or college ready.

In my spare time I love to read and to travel. I also love sports and I love to watch my South Carolina Gamecocks play ball. I have a daughter, Mary Elizabeth (5), who is the love of my life and keeps me on my toes. I am excited to be part of the East Cooper CAS!

Mrs. DeAna Sutler

Mrs. Sutler was born in Beaufort, SC where she grew up spending time at the beach, in the pool, or tending to her grandmother's farm animals.  After graduation from Beaufort High School, she moved to Charleston, SC where she has remained.  While working on her Bachelor's degree, Mrs. Sutler enrolled in an EMT course through TTC.  Upon completion of the course, she began working for CCEMS as a part-time medic.  It was during those 4 years that she found her passion for teaching as co-owner of an emergency training company.  She spent most of her days traveling around the tri-county area training industry personnel in First Responder, EMT, and CPR.  

After graduating from CofC, Mrs. Sutler found her way into public school teaching through the State's alternative pathway, PACE.  She spent 11 years in the classroom at Wando High School teaching Physical Science, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biomedical Science (PBS & HBS).  In the spring of 2017, she moved out of the classroom when she accepted a position as a Teacher Effectiveness Specialist with the Office of Teacher Effectiveness in CCSD.  She then spent the next 3.5 years working in various schools across the district, ranging from K-12 grades working with first and second-year teachers.  

Mrs. Sutler and her husband, Bryan, do not have any children of their own, but they have 2 wonderful fur babies: Riker (Brittany) and Winnie (Terrier Mix).