New Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School principal announced

A familiar face will return to Lonnie B. Nelson as principal this summer. Dr. Maranda Hayward will become the new principal effective July 1. She will replace Dr. Twanisha Garner, who will retire at the end of this school year.

“Dr. Hayward is a great example of nurturing and cultivating our leaders within our Richland Two family,” said Superintendent Dr. Kim D. Moore. “Her experience as an instructional leader and impactful educator has prepared her well to serve as principal of Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School.”

Hayward joined the Richland Two family in 2008 as a special education resource teacher at Lonnie B. Nelson. Since 2016 she has served as an assistant principal at Forest Lake Elementary School.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as principal of Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary. It’s a special feeling to return to where my journey in education began. I am grateful to once again be a part of such a supportive community and look forward to collaborating with parents, staff, and faculty to foster an environment where every student can thrive and achieve their full potential,” Dr. Hayward said.

Hayward has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Teaching (Special Education), a Master of Education in Education Administration, and a Ph.D in Special Education from the University of South Carolina. She is a national board certified teacher, a 2023-2024 SCASA CEEL Silver Strand: Aspiring Principal and a graduate of the 2023-2024 Richland Two Assistant Principal Institute.

In her spare time, Dr. Hayward enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones.