Lucy Pinckney is the long-time beloved Vice Principal of Academic Magnet, as well as one of the school’s greatest mysteries. Known for keeping everything and everyone together, she often roams the hallways of AMHS solving the problems of her teachers and students. Although she knows everything about everyone in the school, how much do we really know about her? I had the privilege of talking to her about her life, passions, and love of her job.

What is your full name?

I’m not going to tell you my full name, but the name I’ll tell you that I write everywhere is Lucy E. Pinckney.

Who are you?

Who am I? (stares at me, then pauses) I am a person who’s passionate about helping kids succeed and make their dreams come true.

When is your birthday?

In the month of July.

What is your favorite color?

Purple.

What is your favorite food?

I don’t have a favorite food, but I do like the taste of key lime pie because it’s bitter and sweet.

Where did you come from?

I’m a native of Charleston, and I attended Burke High School. I went to College of Charleston and the Citadel for my graduate degree. I always wanted to go back to high school to contribute.

How do you smell trouble?

It’s divine… it’s something in the air, I can’t put my finger on it.

What is the worst thing you’ve ever done?

I can’t say. But there are things I’ve done that I know have offended people. It’s all about seeing from other people’s perspectives; something that you think is not very offensive could seem like a very big deal to someone else.

What were you like in high school?

Similar to what I am today; what you see is what you get.

What led you to becoming the Vice Principal of AMHS? 

I started out as a math teacher, and I wanted to advance the life of kids. Being in a classroom confines you, so I said let’s go into administration. My parents were educators so I ended up this way. I actually wanted to be a social worker.

Do you enjoy your job?

The job has some perks… highs and lows

Who is your enemy?

Time is my enemy, I don’t have any people. There’s so many things that I have to get done, but my body fails me

when I need to work on a project until it’s done but don’t have the time.

How do you deal with the stress of the job?

There’s certain things you can and can’t do within a certain day. I know I’m human and there are limitations in everything.

I wish I could do more, but I’m a realist now.

Who is your favorite person?

I don’t have a favorite person, I think that everyone has an important contribution.

What do you enjoy?

I gravitate towards music. I used to play violin, but I haven’t played since I was 19. I like to listen to jazz, old and contemporary, like Boney James and Coltrane. I also sing in my church and like gospel music, but sometimes the music the industry pushes makes everyone sound alike.