Several educators in Richland School District Two are on a pathway to becoming better leaders. The South Carolina ASCD has selected Odora Coleman, Dr. Tim Swick and Mackie Wilson for its Emerging Leaders Class of 2022.

The SCASCD Emerging Leaders Program seeks to empower educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. According to SCASCD, emerging leaders participate in various networking opportunities and become part of a select pool of educators with exclusive access to opportunities to expand their professional reach.

Odora Coleman – Blythewood High School

Odora Coleman began teaching high school English in Spartanburg County School District 6 in 2011. Several years later, she became an administrator at Blythewood High School. Currently, Coleman is the Career and Technical Education Coordinator and Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at Blythewood High. 

“I am honored to be selected as an SCASCD Emerging Leader for the 22-23 school year. I am most excited about growing as a professional and educational leader with a specific passion for supporting and growing the expertise of novice educators. Furthermore, I am looking to obtain resources to help teachers be better than the best of what education has to offer to ensure our students receive the support they need to be successful,” said Coleman. 

Coleman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University.

Dr. Tim Swick – Sandlapper Elementary School

Dr. Swick is the Lead Teacher for the Computer Science Immersion School, a whole school magnet at Sandlapper.

“I am truly honored to be selected as a SCASCD Emerging Leader. I look forward to learning alongside this group of distinguished educators. Every child in SC deserves to be healthy, safe, supported, challenged and engaged. The SCACSD Emerging Leaders Program is an excellent opportunity to learn, teach, and lead with a group of highly accomplished educators, and I will strive to collaborate with this group to strengthen our collective voices in speaking up for a positive influence on policy and practice that improves public education for children across SC,” said Dr. Swick.

Dr. Swick is a National Board Certified Teacher, and holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina with a focus on Educational Technology and Innovative Learning Design. The Computer Science Teachers Association recently recognized Dr. Swick as one of the best computer science teachers in the nation with the CS Teaching Excellence Award.

Mackie Wilson – Summit Parkway Middle School

Mackie Wilson is entering his fourth year of teaching in Richland Two. He currently serves as a 7th-grade Social Studies teacher at Summit Parkway Middle School. He is also the Social Studies Department Chair, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach, and member of the AVID Site Team.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the 22-23 SCASCD Emerging Leaders class. I look forward to collaborating with like-minded leaders within the state of South Carolina and learning as much as possible about being an effective school leader. As I grow within this program, I will use what I have learned to enhance my school, district, and community,” said Wilson.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle-Level Education from the University of South Carolina; and will be graduating with his M.Ed. in Education Administration in May of 2023 from his alma mater.