The Richland One Story

Host Amber Mackey sits down with Kathryn Purushotham, Richland One's 2025-2026 Induction Teacher of the Year. Find out how Ms. Purushotham prepared to be a teacher all her life, what advice she'd give to anyone thinking of joining the profession, and more!

Host Amber Mackey sits down with Keith Wilder, Richland One's 2025-2026 Classified Employee of the Year. Find out why Wilder came to Richland One from the food service industry and hasn't looked back, what he hopes to see in the district in the coming year, and which famous funny man he'd like to have dinner with.

In this episode, host Amber Mackey speaks with 2025-2026 Richland One Teacher of the Year Zhaci Jones. Find out what inspired Ms. Jones to be an educator, how she's grown in her time in Richland One, and why she focuses on teaching her students to pursue their personal best.

In this episode of The Richland One Story, we find out more about the MedEx Academy at C.A. Johnson High School from the school's Health Sciences Magnet Coordinator, Kezia Valabhapuram, and student Gabrielle Oden. The program, a partnership with Prisma Health, lets high school students get an in-depth look at multiple aspects of the medical profession to help them decide whether a career in the field is the right fit.

We introduce you to Julia Turner, Richland One's 2024-2025 Induction Teacher of the Year! Find out how Ms. Turner, who teaches music at A.C. Moore Elementary School, makes sure her students feel comfortable learning instruments and performing, how she brought the Modern Band program to the district, and hear her special greeting song for students.

We introduce you to Mark Davis, Richland One's 2024-2025 Classified Employee of the Year! Find out how Mr. Davis connects with the students he serves as a therapeutic counselor, learn more about the special afterschool drum line program he started at Horrell Hill Elementary, and find out what being Classified Employee of the Year means to him.

We introduce you to Joseph Bell, Richland One's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year! Find out why Mr. Bell always knew he would become a teacher, his journey to Richland One, and what has been the most rewarding part so far of being an educator.

Join Marketing Coordinator Amber Mackey as she interviews Dreher Teacher Cadet student Mia Amos. Mia tells us about the program and why she chose to join, what she loves about music education, and how being a teacher cadet has prepared her to study education.