Richland School District Two names new elementary school principal
April 2, 2020
At a board meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Baron R. Davis recommended and the Richland School District Two Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a principal for Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School. Dr. Twanisha Garner will transition to her new role July 1, 2020.
Dr. Garner currently serves as an assistant principal at Langford Elementary School, where she has been supporting teaching and learning since 2013. This year the South Carolina Administration of School Administrators recognized her work by naming her the 2020 SCASA Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.
Dr. Garner began her educational career nearly 25 years ago working for seven years as a math teacher at William J. Clark Middle School in Orangeburg, S.C. She worked one year at Forest Heights Elementary School in Richland School District One before coming to Richland Two. As a Richland Two ALERT teacher, she planned and implemented curriculum for gifted and talented elementary school students. Lonnie B. Nelson was one of the schools where Dr. Garner taught ALERT. Her expansive work in the district also includes several years teaching second grade magnet students at the Center for Knowledge.
“I am so excited to receive this opportunity to lead the Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary family as we all strive together to maximize our gifts and talents,” said Dr. Garner. “I accept this new position with a promise to lead with passion for academic, behavioral and social development for all children.”
Dr. Garner holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Claflin University and a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Additionally, she earned two degrees, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Doctor of Philosophy in Post-Secondary and Adult Education, from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN.
Dr. Garner succeeds Delphine Scott who has been serving as interim principal at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary.
