New principal envisions O-W as nationally recognized school
By LEE TANT, T&D Staff WriterMonday, July 09, 2007"The school is right on the cusp of being a nationally recognized school," said Orangeburg-Wilkinson Principal Gregory McCord about his new school.
While McCord has been on the job only a week, he envisions a school capable of creating limitless possibilities and opportunities for the students he will soon meet and mentor.
McCord, however, did not always envision himself in the field of education.
"I fell into teaching accidentally," McCord said. But the chance to help students drew McCord away from potential careers in golf and law.
"I like being the type of teacher I thought I needed when I was in school," he said.
McCord's first experience in teaching was working as a part-time substitute after a friend convinced to try it out. At the time, he was clerking in a law office to pass the time between graduating college and entering law school. Eventually, McCord was offered a long-term substituting job which he accepted. Following that, his love of golf brought him to a new occupation, being an assistant professional at a golf course.
One day he received a phone call that changed his career from teaching golfers how to correct their slice to teaching children. The man on the other of the end of line was the principal of the school where McCord substituted. He put forth an offer for McCord to become a full-time teacher, which put into motion the events that led him to his current job.
It is a job which McCord is embracing with open arms. The opportunity to be involved in a community and school that is rich in tradition and history is what McCord said drew him toward becoming a Bruin. He says that he is loving his new position and is being well-received by the community.
In order to meet more people in the community, McCord said he is planning to attend services at local churches.
He recognized former O-W Principal Rodney Zimmerman for leaving the school in great shape and creating an excellent platform to launch his tenure. He says he has gotten the opportunity to speak with Zimmerman several times and admires the zest he has for the school.
"He's a tremendous man, he has a true passion for the students, a true passion for Orangeburg-Wilkinson," McCord said of his predecessor. Zimmerman left O-W in June to become principal at Eau Claire High School.
McCord plans to carry on Zimmerman's work at O-W. He said he wants to create closer ties between O-W and local universities. He also mentioned the importance of being fluent in foreign languages due to the rise of globalization, and plans to enhance O-W's foreign language program.
Most importantly, McCord wants to acknowledge all levels of student achievement. Whether it means excellence on the SAT, good grades in the classroom, or perfect attendance, McCord will ensure the students are recognized.
"I want all students to feel a level of accomplishment," he said.
McCord himself knows a little something about accomplishment. He grew up in Augusta, Ga., where his mother raised him and his two brothers on her own.
Like his varying careers, McCord's education experienced changes as he attended 14 different schools before even getting to high school. In 1985, he graduated from Richmond Academy in Augusta and then moved on to Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. He received a business degree from Livingstone College, where he also played golf for the school.
After moving from the golf course to the classroom, he worked for six years as a teacher at Butler High School in Augusta. From there, he worked as assistant principal at two high schools.
Then he was named supervisor of student services at Lexington/Richland School District 5. He also served as an adjunct professor at Benedict College.
According to McCord, the many responsibilities of those roles have prepared him to be the next principal at Orangeburg-Wilkinson.
Outside of education, McCord plays the role of husband to his wife of 15 years, Angela, and as a father to his two children.
The role at Orangeburg-Wilkinson McCord wants to play is quite a large one. Ultimately, he wants O-W to be a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and to have it acknowledged as one of the Palmetto State's finest high schools.
When his time at O-W is over, he would like people to have a favorable view of his tenure as a Bruin.
"I hope they say he did right by the school, that he took Orangeburg-Wilkinson to the next level," McCord said.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.
