Richland Two announced that Odora Coleman has been named the next principal of Kelly Mill Middle School, effective July 1, 2025.
During her nearly 15-year career in education, Coleman has demonstrated her ability as an instructional leader, a strategic planner and a culture and community builder. She brings a wealth of experience to her new role.
One of Ms. Coleman’s core beliefs is that “excellence is not an act but a habit. Excellence is not about being perfect, it’s about pushing ourselves, our students, and each other to reach our full potential every day. This means setting high expectations, embracing challenges, and committing to continuous growth.”
Ms. Coleman currently serves as the assistant principal at Blythewood High School, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, Ms. Coleman successfully expanded course offerings, including Advanced Placement and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, enhancing educational opportunities for students. She has managed substantial budgets, including a $28.4 million bond referendum for school improvements, showcasing her fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation.
“We are proud to welcome Ms. Coleman to the Kelly Mill Middle School family,” said Superintendent Dr. Kim D. Moore. “Her leadership, her commitment
to academic excellence, and her dedication to creating a welcoming learning environment make her a perfect fit for Kelly Mill.”
Ms. Coleman began her career as an English teacher in an upstate high school in 2011. She joined Richland Two in 2017 as a Ridge View High School English teacher. She holds a Master of Administration and Supervision degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate.
This year, Ms. Coleman was nominated for the 2024- 2025 SC CTE Administrator of the Year. In 2023, she was recognized as a 2022- 2023 SC-ASCD Emerging Leader. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Career and Technical Education, the Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, and the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Ms. Coleman is married to Bobby Coleman II, a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force. Together they have 3 children, Aceson, Amery, and Ameela. She enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, vacationing abroad, and drag racing.
The Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) proudly hosted its second annual District Spelling Bee at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OC Tech), showcasing the spelling talents of 23 contestants from grades three through eight. After multiple rounds of intense competition, eighthgrader Dashon Hannon from Robert E. Howard Middle School emerged as the champion by correctly spelling the winning word, “M-A-R-T-Y-R.”
Allie Fanning, an eighth-grade student from Branchville, secured second place, while Thomas Kent, a fifth-grader from Holly Hill Elementary School, earned third-place honors. The competition was presided over by lead judge Shea C. Patrick, who ensured a fair and challenging contest for all participants.
Dr. Bernard E. Frost, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, emphasized the significance of the event by sharing, “the Spelling Bee is a key component of our strategic academic enrichment efforts at OCSD. It not only builds students’ vocabulary and comprehension skills but also enhances their confidence and ability to perform under pressure. Our team is deeply committed to ensuring the success of this event because we recognize its impact on literacy and academic achievement across the district, said Dr. Frost.”
The OCSD Spelling Bee was made possible through the generous
sponsorship of the City of Orangeburg, Empire Beauty, and Farmers Home Furniture. Their support helped provide an enriching experience for students and their families, fostering a love for language and academic excellence.
“The Spelling Bee is an incredible opportunity for our students to showcase their hard work, dedication, and passion for learning,” said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, OCSD Superintendent. “We are proud of all our participants and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dashon, Allie, and Thomas for their outstanding performances, he continued.”
OCSD remains committed to providing academic and extracurricular opportunities that challenge
and inspire students. The district looks forward to continuing this tradition in future years and encouraging even more students to participate in the Spelling Bee.
Dr. Teresa Jennings, Director of Elementary and the lead coordinator for the Spelling Bee, highlighted the dedication of students and staff in making the event a success: “It is truly inspiring to see our students rise to the challenge and demonstrate their commitment to learning. The Spelling Bee is not just a competition—it is an opportunity to foster a love for words and lifelong learning. I am incredibly proud of our participants, and I appreciate the efforts of our educators and families in supporting them.”
