Richland School District Two is announcing its five finalists for 2026-2027 District Teacher of the Year. The finalists and their schools are Schantain Ellis Robinson, Windsor Elementary School; Dr. Sharon Fleming, Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School; Emily Kladar, Round Top Elementary School; Ashley Sowell, Polo Road Elementary School, and Aris Wrightson, Richland Northeast High School.
“Year after year, the true strength of our district lies in our incredible staff, and today we proudly recognize a new cohort of our finest educators. Across different campuses and disciplines, these Teachers of the Year share one unifying passion, a belief that every student possesses infinite potential, coupled with the dedication to help them discover it. These educators are relentless learners and impact-makers. They stand out to their peers, administrators, and school families as the absolute best of the best,” said Superintendent Dr. Kim D. Moore.
• Schantain Ellis Robinson is a Child Development Teacher at Windsor Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Augusta College, and Master of Education in Early Childhood – Divergent Learning from Columbia College.
Ellis Robinson says her greatest contribution as an educator is cultivating a classroom environment where every student feels safe, seen, and deeply supported. “By weaving mindfulness and reflection into our daily routines, I help students build self-regulation, confidence, and personal accountability alongside their academic skills. My most rewarding accomplishment is watching my students grow, not just in their academic mastery, but in their emotional resilience and self-belief. Currently, one of the most critical challenges in public education is the urgent need to prioritize the well-being of both students and teachers through intentional social-emotional learning and sustainable practices.”
• Dr. Sharon Fleming is an Early Childhood Teacher at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School. Before coming to Nelson in 2012, she taught at Joseph Keels Elementary School for 12 years. Dr. Fleming graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Wesleyan University and a Doctor of Education from Argosy University in Arizona. She has been named Teacher of the Year three times during her service in Richland Two.
Dr. Fleming says her journey to teaching has been shaped by a deep belief in the potential of every child and a commitment to making learning meaningful, engaging, and empowering. “I was inspired by educators who treated students as active participants in their own growth, recognizing and nurturing each student’s strengths. Seeing how guidance, encouragement, and real-world connections spark curiosity and confidence motivated me to create those same opportunities for my students,” Dr. Fleming said.
• Emily Kladar is a fourth-grade teacher at Round Top Elementary School. Klader says she actually began teaching as a child when she received her most treasured childhood Christmas gift, a full-sized teacher’s desk—the centerpiece of a fully stocked classroom she created in her basement. There she honed her teaching skills by recruiting younger siblings and neighbors to attend the school.
“In my family, instead of receiving birthday gifts, we donated to support a cause we cared about. At a young age, I often chose school supplies which I collected and delivered to different under-resourced schools around the country. I had the opportunity to visit innovative schools in Las Vegas, Chicago, Mexico and Hawaii to see firsthand the many ways classrooms can look and feel around the world. All of these experiences inspired me further to become a teacher,” Kladar said.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. She has also completed graduate level course work in classroom management at USC.
• Ashley Sowell is a second grade, Early Childhood Education Teacher at Polo Road Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education from Columbia College.
If selected as District Teacher of the Year, Sowell would use the platform to advocate for the importance of prioritizing the mental health and well-being of teachers, staff, and students to sustain quality education.
“Teaching is a profession rooted in care, dedication, and a deep commitment to helping students grow. However, to maintain strong schools and effective classrooms, we must ensure that the people within them are supported both professionally and emotionally,” said Sowell.
• Aris Wrightson is the Culinary Instructor and Career and Technology Education Department Director at Richland Northeast High School. She has been teaching for 13 years. If selected District Teacher of the Year, Wrightson would share this message with students across the district.
“You matter. You truly do. Your thoughts, your feelings, your ideas, your dreams—they all matter. You have a place in this world, and you deserve to take up space. Don’t shrink to make others comfortable, and don’t let anyone convince you that your voice isn’t important,” said Wrightson.
Wrightson holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, SC.
Finalists received surprise visits from the superintendent, school board members, their principals and other administrators who announced they are in the top five competing for the Richland Two District Teacher of the Year.