Richland Two Announces Elementary School Principals
June 24, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC — At the Tuesday, June 23, 2015 board meeting, Superintendent Debbie Hamm recommended and the Richland School District Two Board of Trustees approved the promotions of Paula China to principal of L.W. Conder Elementary Arts Integrated Magnet School and Stacey Gadson to principal of Rice Creek Elementary School, both effective July 1, 2015.
Paula B. China currently serves as assistant principal of Conder Elementary Arts Integrated Magnet School, a position she has held since 2011. The school’s current principal, Dr. Shawn Suber, accepted the position of director of special projects and state and federal programs in the district’s Teaching and Learning department.
An educator for 20 years, China began her educational career teaching second and third grade at Richland Two’s Lonnie B. Nelson and Forest Lake elementary schools. In 2008, the district promoted her to assistant principal at Forest Lake. China earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Benedict College, a master’s in elementary education from Columbia College, and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Cambridge College in Augusta, Ga.
China said “I’m elated to have been chosen to lead such a wonderful school like Conder Elementary. It is my desire that every employee, parent, student and community partner, will also be excited as we continue to build on the foundation already laid here at Conder. Our excitement will fuel our passion to achieve excellence.”
Stacey R. Gadson currently serves as assistant principal at Windsor Elementary. As principal at Rice Creek Elementary, he replaces Sean Bishton who accepted the position of principal at Muller Road Middle in the district.
Gadson began his 16-year career in education as a fifth-grade teacher at Watkins-Nance Elementary School in Richland School District One. He taught sixth-grade at Richland One’s Saint Andrews Middle School before joining Richland Two as assistant principal at North Springs Elementary School in 2004. He helped open Catawba Trail Elementary, also as an assistant principal, before moving to Windsor Elementary. Gadson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Morris College in Sumter, S.C., and a Master of Education in administration from Cambridge College in Boston, Mass.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and eager to work with the students, faculty and staff, parents and community members of Rice Creek Elementary. Together, we will continue to cultivate a school environment where all students can lead, learn and experience success,” said Gadson.
Superintendent Debbie Hamm said, “We are excited to have these two outstanding educational professionals leading Conder and Rice Creek elementary schools. They both have a strong track record of excellence as teachers in the classroom and as administrators. I look forward to collaborating with them in their new leadership role as our district continues to guide our students to success by focusing on learning, character, community and joy.”
