Dozens of business and community leaders stepped outside their normal duties November 16 to find out what it’s like to be a principal by serving as Richland One Principals for a Day.
Principal for a Day, one of Richland One’s most popular and successful community engagement initiatives, restarted in 2022 after it was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were 31 first-time participants in this year’s Principal for a Day initiative, including Col. Jason Edwards with the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute at Fort Jackson. He served as the Principal for a Day at A.C. Flora High School, where his son attends.
Several of the participants shared their reflections on their experiences as Principals for a Day during the recognition reception held at C.A. Johnson High School at the end of the day. Colonel Edwards noted how much teachers and administrators are there for students, especially when students are struggling at home.
“You can see in middle and high school students’ faces right now what’s going on in their lives. What I saw was direct engagement interfacing with folks that are going through some very difficult times in their life,” he said.
Returning Principal for a Day Regina Brown, the community relations manager at Prisma Health and a Richland One Hall of Fame member, served as the Principal for a Day at Hopkins Elementary School.
She has been volunteering in Richland One since 1994 and encouraged others to volunteer year-round.
“Take the time to give back and you’ll really understand what the needs truly are in Richland One. Make the commitment to be supportive of our schools year-round,” said Brown.
Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon thanked participants for taking time out of their schedules to serve as Principals for a Day and learn more about Richland One schools and what principals do every day. He also encouraged them to share what they saw and experienced with others in the community.
“We’re all collectively more powerful and more influential than we are individually. Let’s use this occasion to come together, celebrate and look at examples of the best we have to offer to continue to move our district forward. Let this event grow into a continued relationship at your respective schools,” Dr. Witherspoon said.
PHOTO 1: Richland One held its 2023 Principal for a Day initiative November 16. Participants included elected officials, business and community leaders, Realtors and members of the news media. A recognition reception was held at C.A. Johnson High School at the end of the day.
PHOTO 2: Col. Jason Edwards with the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute at Fort Jackson served as the Principal for a Day at A.C. Flora High School. He got a tour of the school’s Army JROTC building. From left to right are: Army JROTC instructor Chief Dorian Brunson, cadet William Miller, cadet Ziakaila Spurgeon, cadet Jordan Hines, Col. Edwards and A.C. Flora principal Susan Childs.
PHOTO 3: Regina Brown, the community relations manager at Prisma Health and a Richland One Hall of Fame member, meets with fourth-grade students at Hopkins Elementary School in the school’s lobby. From left to right standing are: Taylor Smyle, Trinitee Bryant, Ashton Sumter, Brown, Alexander Neal, Marquis Riley and Angel Thompson. From left to right sitting are: Zyaire Grimes, Dallas Holman and Rhamier Huguenin.
