Courtesy photo
Pictured, from left, are School District of Pickens County superintendent Dr. Danny Merck, McKissick Elementary assistant principal Anita Richardson and SCASA executive director Beth Phibbs.

EASLEY — McKissick Elementary School assistant principal Anita Richardson has been named the 2016 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

Richardson was selected from an outstanding field of elementary school administrator candidates by a veteran panel of judges. The other finalist for the award was Jennifer Dodds of Chandler Creek Elementary School in Greenville County.

“We are pleased to announce that Anita Richardson has been named the SCASA Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Beth Phibbs, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. “She is an exceptional leader who has had a positive impact on not only her students, but also the district and community as well.”

“Mrs. Richardson is such vital member of the McKissick family,” McKissick principal Gary Mohr said. “Working closely with someone who has many of the same thoughts and philosophies when it comes to education, running a school and being an advocate for children makes doing what we do even more enjoyable. I can’t begin to describe what she means to McKissick.”

School district superintendent Dr. Danny Merck touted the impact assistant principals have in lauding Richardson for her honor.

“Assistant principals are so important, not just for all of the responsibilities they take on to keep our schools running smoothly, but also because they are the future of leadership for our district,” he said. “Mrs. Richardson is an indicator that the future of our schools looks very bright.”

The award was presented during a surprise announcement at the school on Monday.

SCASA, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 3,900 members. From professional development opportunities and research to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.