Dana M. Hutto

Head of School

Dana Hutto earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. She was the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction of East Point Academy in West Columbia, SC  since 2014. Ms. Hutto has twenty years of experience in education, having taught elementary and middle school as well as university level courses for in-service teachers. She has worked at both the South Carolina Department of Education and Lexington School District One as a science, health, and physical education coordinator. She has extensive experience in working with teachers on integrating standards, classroom instruction and assessment.

Lee Simmons

Director of Operations

Lee Simmons has spent the last four and a half years based in Shanghai working as an administrator in English immersion schools, programs and centers across China. He helped open six English immersion organizations during his time in China.

Before moving to China, Lee earned his MBA from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Together with his wonderful wife, Cyndi, he has a sweet daughter, Catherine, who was born in April of 2017.

Lee enjoys spending his free time grilling, and outside working on cars and in the yard. He is excited for the opportunities that East Link Academy is bringing to the Upstate and is excited to be a part of it.