About Us

Mr. Craig James

Mr. James is from Norway, SC and the son of Robert and Varrian James. He attended Blackville public schools grades K-11 and completed his high school education at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School. He is a graduate of South Carolina State University, earning a B.A in Criminal Justice. He was employed by the South Carolina Department of Corrections as an investigator. From there, he was gainfully employed by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services as a Special Agent in Barnwell County, SC.

Mr. James then pursued a career in the educational field of study as he served as the Law Enforcement Instructor at Cope Area Career Center in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4. While at the Cope Area Career Center, he earned his M.A in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. Mr. James is passionate about kids from his community and served as the director and head coach of the Norfield Hornets Football program for 17 years, posting an overall record of 119-9 including 16 league championships and two national championships in 2012 and 2016. These young men were also responsible for earning back to back Class A State football championships in 2013 and 2014 for The Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School Trojans. Mr. James was then afforded his first administrative position as he served as Assistant Principal at Wade Hampton High School, Hampton School District 1.

Mr. James then returned to his home county and served as Assistant Principal under the tutelage of Dr. Casandra Jenkins at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. He was then selected as the first director of Orangeburg County Alternative School (Currently Refocus Academy) upon consolidation in 2019.

Mr. James is married to Dr. Jessica Brabham-James who serves as an Administrator in Barnwell School District 45 and has one son, Brandon James, who is currently at the University of South Carolina seeking a degree in Pharmaceutical Science.