Faculty

As important as the curriculum is, what is even more important is who is teaching the curriculum. The extraordinary level of achievement of our students may be attributed to the high level of expectations placed on students, as well as the support students receive from the faculty. With limited class sizes, teachers are able to take the time to really get to know and care about each student. The confidence the faculty has in our students encourages them to reach beyond their perceived limitations.

At Wilson Hall the process of education occurs in an atmosphere of genuine caring and support that comes from the mutual respect between our teacher and students. Our teachers encourage the best from their students, but they also give freely of themselves, even when they have to sacrifice their private time to do so. Our teachers stay after school each day to offer assistance to students or speak with parents, with many teachers having regularly scheduled tutoring or review sessions. Many of our faculty members serve as team coaches and club advisors, so it is not uncommon to see them on campus working long after school is dismissed.

Any curriculum is only as good as the person teaching it, and Wilson Hall has some of the best teachers in the region, as judged by the numerous commendations. In the S.C. Independent School Association’s annual teacher of the year competition, Wilson Hall has had more teachers receive recognition than any other school in the area. 

Since the school is fully accredited through AdvancED, the non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools throughout the United States and internationally, all of our teachers are either certified or teach a majority of their courses in the area of their college major.

Wilson Hall has had 11 teachers named State Teacher of the Year by the S.C. Independent School Association, and 39 teachers have been among the top three finalists for the award during the 33-year old recognition program. 

Faculty Attends Learning Conference in Boston

In the school’s effort to promote continued professional development of the staff, nine faculty members attended The Science of Teaching and Learning Conference in Boston. The three-day conference was sponsored by Learning and the Brain which connects educators with the latest scientific research and evidence-based practices to improve instruction and interventions in schools.
 
The faculty could choose from nearly 50 workshops within the following six topics: The Science of Teaching: The Evidence for Effective Instruction; The Science of Learning: Engaging Memories, Minds & Learners; The Science of Brain Health: Supporting Sleep & Mindful Well-Being; The Science of Movement: Promoting Play & Physical Activity; The Science of Active Learning: Digital Games, Well-Being & STEM; and The Science of Reading: Interventions & Comprehension.
 

McCord American Legion Teacher of the Year

Mr. Chuck McCord was recognized as a Teacher of the Year by the American Legion Post 15 in Sumter. He is entering his 42nd year of teaching at Wilson Hall. Mr. McCord teaches Advanced Placement Chemistry, Chemistry I, and philosophy, and he serves as an assistant coach for the varsity football, varsity girls basketball, and boys tennis teams. 
 

McCord State Teacher of the Year Finalist

Mr. Chuck McCord, a science teacher, is one of three finalists in the state for the S.C. Independent School Association High School Teacher of the Year. After being elected by his peers at the school, Mr. McCord entered the state-level contest by submitting an essay, resume, and recommendations from peers and the administration. After reading through the many submissions for Teacher of the Year from across the state, a panel of educators made the selection of the top three finalists for each division. Mr. McCord has 41 years of teaching experience, all at Wilson Hall. He teaches Advanced Placement Chemistry, Chemistry I, and philosophy, and he serves as the boys tennis coach and as an assistant coach for the varsity football and varsity girls basketball teams. He is the 40th Wilson Hall teacher to receive this recognition in the 34-year program. Mr. McCord was named the State High School Teacher of the Year in 1991 and he was a finalist in the competition in 2000 and 2017. There are 120 member schools in SCISA.