Faculty Bios
 

Vann Holden - Lead Teacher
I was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina but was raised in Florence, South Carolina.  After leaving Florence, I attended the University of South Carolina where I received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching degrees.  Upon graduating from USC, I came to Kelly Mill Middle School and taught 7th Grade Social Studies.  I was then given the opportunity to open and lead the INC. magnet program.  This has been an amazing experience.  I am currently pursuing a second graduate degree from USC, this time in Education Leadership.
�My wife and I live in Lake Carolina with our cat, Maxcy, and our dog, Neville.  In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, watching sports (football and soccer), watching television, exercising, and reading.

 

(Mr. Holden with INC. students at Camp Greenville - October 21, 2008)

vholden@richland2.org

691-7210 ext. 3035

  
 

Towaya Brown - 6th Grade Science
I was born in Baltimore, Maryland.  My father was the pastor of a church, and my mom worked in the church and home to rear their 4 children, all boys except me.  My parents felt that after God and family, education was the most important thing in life.  I attended Morgan State University and the University of Maryland to obtain my B.S. degree. I attended Lesley University to obtain my M. Ed. I believe learning shouldn’t end so I still take classes and attend conferences.  I’ve taught many grade levels, but I enjoy the 6th grade and have taught it for 8 of my 13 years of teaching. 
�I live in the rural area of Blythewood with my family. We have a home on almost three acres, and I love the privacy and nature. My husband and I have two sons and a daughter. We attend Little Zion Baptist Church. When school’s out, I love to travel and go on family camping trips.  Our goal is to visit all 50 states, and we have 7 to go. 

 

tbrown@richland2.org

 

  
 

Diane Gilbert - 6th Grade ELA

I am thrilled to be part of the INC. staff and to have received the South Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Design Award for the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.  I am from Hawaii, where I began teaching creative drama at age nineteen.  I have received Bachelor’s Degrees in Education and Theatre as well as a Master’s Degree in Divergent Learning.  A sixth grade language arts teacher, after-school drama teacher, Tri-District Arts Educator in the summer, and school-level coach for technology as well as Differentiated Instruction, I enjoy developing student artistic expression in a variety of venues. 

Outside of the academic arena, I perform at local community theaters, serve as a bi-weekly church soloist, and raise two sons, Keegan and Rory. I owe a debt of gratitude to my boss, Dr. Michaele Lemrow, for providing me with opportunities to connect to my students through technology and the arts and to my family for being supportive of my busy schedule.

 

(Diane Gilbert, right, receiving the 2008-2009 SC-ASCD Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from Dr. Michaele Lemrow, left. )

dgilbert@richland2.org

 

 

 

  
 

Connie May - 6th Grade Math
I am originally from Fayetteville, NC. and have lived in Columbia since 1994.  I graduated cum laude from Methodist University with a B. A. in History and a B. S. in Elementary Education and recently completed my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton. 
�I have had a variety of teaching experiences from elementary school to middle school (up to seventh grade). I really enjoy teaching middle school students and watching students grow and develop confidence in math.
�I have two wonderful children who attend Lake Carolina Elementary and a great husband of thirteen years!  I enjoy traveling, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

 

cmay@richland2.org

 

  
 

Mary Claire Vogler - 6th Grade Social Studies
I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in International Studies and a minor in French.  I also received my license to teach from UTM.  I became Nationally Board Certified in 2007.
�I began my teaching career in Hickman, KY where I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Social Studies.  I have been teaching 6th grade Social Studies at Kelly Mill for three years.
�My favorite daughter is a 7th grader here at Kelly Mill.  She is an only child so that statement did not hurt anyone’s feelings.  J  I became a teacher so that I could learn and talk about things that interested me….. for a living!  I enjoy reading and learning about the world.  I believe that with knowledge comes understanding, and from understanding peace.

 

mvogler@richland2.org

 

  
 

Pam Bruney - 7th Grade ELA

I am very excited to be joining the INC. team of teachers! I was born and raised in Columbia, SC.  I have been teaching language arts for 23 years, and came to Richland Two in 1995. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1981, and my Masters in Education degree in 1991. I received my National Board Certification in Early Adolescent English Language Arts in 2003.  I currently reside in Northeast Columbia with my husband and two sons, Trevor and Dylan, along with our dog, Mojo. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis, walking my dog, reading, and gardening.

Picture not yet available.

pbruney@richland2.org

 
 

Natalia McInnish - 7th Grade Math

I am originally from Romania. I was born and raised in Blaj, a small town in the center of Transylvania.  While in high school, I decided to follow my mother’s footsteps and become a teacher. After graduating from high school, I attended “Babeş – Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and I graduated with a degree in Mathematics.

After seven years of teaching math to middle and high school students in my home town, I decided to make a change in my life: I left Romania and came to Columbia, South Carolina to teach Math. During this time, I taught Pre-Algebra, Advanced Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I to seventh grade students at Kelly Mill Middle School.  I also coached our school MathCounts team, and I participated in the coaching of our girls soccer team.

After spending the last two years in the Atlanta-area, my husband and I have decided to come back to Columbia.  I am looking forward to another amazing experience working with my students, their parents, and my colleagues.

I enjoy learning through reading and traveling. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, listening to music, taking care of my plants, and being around my family and friends. 

Picture not yet available.

lcminnish@richland2.org

 
 

Nancy Paredes - 7th Grade Science

Although born in Oklahoma, I was raised in Montana for the majority of my upbringing and in 1993 I graduated from the University of Montana-Billings. Since then I have taught in a variety of middle school settings, from a three-room school house in Montana, where I taught the entire middle school of 14 students, to an urban at-risk school in Las Vegas, Nevada.  During my ten years in Las Vegas, I obtained my Masters Degree in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis in secondary science education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  I then went on to become Nationally Board Certified in the area of early adolescent science.  I moved to South Carolina in 2008 so that my husband could attend the University of South Carolina as a graduate student.  I am fascinated by the natural world around us, and I am excited to continue instilling a love of science in students as I begin my career at Kelly Mill Middle School.  I love to travel as often as the opportunity allows, and I’ve explored Japan, China, Spain and Cambodia. I also love yoga, hiking and camping.  I live with my husband and our two dogs on a small lake, which is rather refreshing after 10 years in the desert. 

 

Picture not yet available.

nparedes@richland2.org

 
 

David Walker - 7th Grade Social Studies

I was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina.  I went to the University of South Carolina and received my Bachelor of Arts in History.  After graduating college, I decided that I wanted to become a teacher.  I have been at Kelly Mill since the school opened five years ago, and I truly love it here.  I was an instructional aide for two years and then was hired to teach seventh grade social studies, a capacity which I have served in for the last three years. 

I am married to my wonderful wife Joy who is also a teacher in the district and we currently reside here in the Blythewood area. I enjoy reading, playing softball, and playing video games whenever I can get the chance.  I am really excited about teaching in the INC. program this year and can not wait to see what is in store for everyone this year.

 

Picture not yet available.

dawalker@richland2.org

 
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