Richland Two Announces Personnel Changes

COLUMBIA, SC – Today Dr. Debbie Hamm, superintendent of Richland School District Two, announced James Ann Lynch Sheley as the new chief planning and initiatives officer, Sean Bishton as the new principal of Muller Road Middle School, and Shawn Suber as the new director of special projects and state and federal programs in the district’s Teaching and Learning Department.

James Ann Lynch Sheley, Ed.D., hired as the chief planning and initiatives officer, returns to Richland Two after serving as the director of elementary schools for Lexington County School District One since 2010. During her previous tenure in Richland Two, Sheley served as principal and helped open the first Lake Carolina Elementary School, which is now Lake Carolina Elementary Lower. Her 12 years in Richland Two also include three years as principal at North Springs Elementary. She began her education career as a teacher at Lugoff-Elgin Middle School in Kershaw County School District, where she also served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Lugoff Elementary, and curriculum coordinator for the district.

Sheley holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Newberry College, a Master of Education in administration from Winthrop University, and a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She serves on the board of the S.C. Arts Alliance and the S.C. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Her long list of honors include the 2013 Newberry College Hall of Master Teachers award, 2010 Alpha Delta Kappa Excellence in Education Award, and a South Carolina educator representative for cultural exchange program with China.

Sean Bishton moves to Muller Road Middle School from Rice Creek Elementary, where he has served as principal since 2011. Prior to this, he served as assistant principal at Round Top Elementary, and curriculum effectiveness specialist and mathematics teacher at Summit Parkway Middle. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Bishton began his career in education as a sixth-grade teacher in 1990. He moved to South Carolina in 2000 and began teaching in Richland School District One and then taught in Charleston County, where he also served as a middle school math coach. An educator for 25 years, Bishton serves as a national staff developer for AVID, a program that trains educators to use proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college and career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

Bishton earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Cape Town, a master’s degree in instructional accommodations from Francis Marion University, an educational specialist degree in leadership in education form Capella University, and national board certification in early adolescent mathematics. He recently completed the S.C. School Leadership Executive Institute and received the Tenenbaum Award for his class.

Shawn Suber, Ph.D., moves to the position of director of special projects and state and federal programs in the district’s Teacher and Learning department from L.W. Conder Elementary Arts Integrated Magnet School, where he serves as principal. His nine years in the district include time as an assistant principal at Rice Creek Elementary and Lake Carolina Elementary. Suber started as a school counselor at W.S. Sandel Elementary in Richland School District One. While there, he served in many capacities including contact administrator for special education, student intervention team chair and school leadership chair.

Suber received a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology from Newberry College, two master’s degrees (school counseling from Winthrop University and educational administration from University of South Carolina), and an educational specialist degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational administration from USC. Suber has been published in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, the National Professional Development Schools Journal and the Palmetto Administrator.

Superintendent Hamm stated, “These proven leaders have demonstrated their ability during their time in Richland Two to initiate and maintain successful programs that benefit students. I know they will continue to apply their talents, skills and knowledge to support our efforts to continuously improve teaching and learning for all students.”