Teach Right USA Team
Tracey Williams
Executive Director
Tracey Williams
Executive Director
Tracey Williams serves as the Executive Director of Teach Right USA. She has over 25 years of educational experience. Ms. Williams started her career as a public-school teacher and basketball coach. She went on to serve as an assistant principal and principal. Her experience includes traditional public schools, virtual schools, and charter schools. She has always taken an innovative approach to education. Most recently, she was instrumental in starting a successful statewide virtual charter school.
Ms. Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in Science Teaching from Clemson University. She has earned two Masters of Education Degrees. One in Natural Sciences from Clemson University and one in Educational Leadership from American Public University. Her passion for the teaching profession led her to Teach Right USA. Ms. Williams believes that the quality of education in South Carlina will improve by providing additional opportunities for participants from varied backgrounds to enter the teaching profession.
Outside of the office, Ms. Williams enjoys reading, walking, and cooking. She and her husband, Lance have two sons and live in Cross Hill, SC.
Ms. Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in Science Teaching from Clemson University. She has earned two Masters of Education Degrees. One in Natural Sciences from Clemson University and one in Educational Leadership from American Public University. Her passion for the teaching profession led her to Teach Right USA. Ms. Williams believes that the quality of education in South Carlina will improve by providing additional opportunities for participants from varied backgrounds to enter the teaching profession.
Outside of the office, Ms. Williams enjoys reading, walking, and cooking. She and her husband, Lance have two sons and live in Cross Hill, SC.
Dr. Tammy White
Chief of Planning & Innovation
Dr. Tammy White
Chief of Planning & Innovation
Tammy White serves as the Director of Planning and Innovation at Teach Right USA and she has over 28 years of educational experience. Dr. White started her career as a public-school teacher, coach, and middle school athletic director. She went on to serve as an assistant principal and principal at the secondary and elementary levels. Her teaching and leadership experience includes traditional public schools as well as at the university level. She has always had a passion for teaching students at all levels. Most recently, she served as the Program Director of the Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Winthrop University.
Dr. White earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching from the University of South Carolina. She earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University. She went on to earn her Educational Specialist’s Degree and then her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2013.
Her passion for the teaching profession led her to Teach Right USA. Dr. White believes that preparing teachers to serve the students in South Carolina is in need of innovation and change. Outside of the office, Dr. White enjoys traveling, swimming, and boating. She and her family divide their time between Rock Hill and Lake Wateree, SC.
Dr. White earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching from the University of South Carolina. She earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University. She went on to earn her Educational Specialist’s Degree and then her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2013.
Her passion for the teaching profession led her to Teach Right USA. Dr. White believes that preparing teachers to serve the students in South Carolina is in need of innovation and change. Outside of the office, Dr. White enjoys traveling, swimming, and boating. She and her family divide their time between Rock Hill and Lake Wateree, SC.
Teach Right USA Board
Teach Right USA’s board plays a crucial role in both organizational strategic planning and upholding accountability for our work and impact. Comprising members with diverse professional backgrounds spanning education, public policy, and business, our board brings a wealth of experience to guide our mission effectively.
Todd Atwater
Board Member
Todd Atwater
Board Member
Todd Atwater has enjoyed a multi-faceted career that has given him a wealth of knowledge in the legal, executive, and political arenas. He has the unique experience of working as an attorney, as President and CEO of multiple businesses and organizations, and serving as a legislator.
Todd has served as Chief Counsel of the US Senate Labor and Human Relations Committee for Senator Strom Thurmond, Vice President and General Counsel of the SC Chamber of Commerce, Director of Government and Cabinet Affairs for Governor David Beasley, President and CEO of the SC Manufacturers Alliance, CEO of the SC Medical Association with multiple subsidiary companies, and founder of Coventry Partners. Todd also served as a member of the SC House of Representatives from 2010-2018, serving on the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Education and Transportation. In addition, Todd was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Special Committee on Opioid Abuse and the Special Committee on Comprehensive Tax Reform. After his eight years of service, Todd ran for South Carolina Attorney General, making the run-off against an eight-year incumbent.
In his 28 years of work and service in both the private and public sectors, Todd has earned a respected reputation for his leadership, effectiveness, and integrity.
Todd has served as Chief Counsel of the US Senate Labor and Human Relations Committee for Senator Strom Thurmond, Vice President and General Counsel of the SC Chamber of Commerce, Director of Government and Cabinet Affairs for Governor David Beasley, President and CEO of the SC Manufacturers Alliance, CEO of the SC Medical Association with multiple subsidiary companies, and founder of Coventry Partners. Todd also served as a member of the SC House of Representatives from 2010-2018, serving on the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Education and Transportation. In addition, Todd was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Special Committee on Opioid Abuse and the Special Committee on Comprehensive Tax Reform. After his eight years of service, Todd ran for South Carolina Attorney General, making the run-off against an eight-year incumbent.
In his 28 years of work and service in both the private and public sectors, Todd has earned a respected reputation for his leadership, effectiveness, and integrity.
Dr. Brian Newsome
Board Member
Dr. Brian Newsome
Board Member
Dr. Brian Newsome, Principal of Gray Collegiate Academy in West Columbia, was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve as his educator designee to the committee in December 2018. Newsome has been Principal of Gray Collegiate since 2016.
Prior to that, he was Superintendent of Orangeburg Preparatory Schools from 2014 to 2016 and Principal of Williston-Elko High School from 2010 to 2014. Newsome earned his Bachelor of Science in Law/Communication from Charleston Southern University as well as a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education Certification from South Carolina State University. He holds a Masters of Sports Management from United States Sports Academy and an Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree and Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) from South Carolina State University.
Newsome served as an active member of the AdvanceED Accreditation Council from 2012 to 2017 and has received numerous awards for moving schools academically. He has twice been nominated for the SC Association of School Administrators (SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year Award.
Prior to that, he was Superintendent of Orangeburg Preparatory Schools from 2014 to 2016 and Principal of Williston-Elko High School from 2010 to 2014. Newsome earned his Bachelor of Science in Law/Communication from Charleston Southern University as well as a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education Certification from South Carolina State University. He holds a Masters of Sports Management from United States Sports Academy and an Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree and Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) from South Carolina State University.
Newsome served as an active member of the AdvanceED Accreditation Council from 2012 to 2017 and has received numerous awards for moving schools academically. He has twice been nominated for the SC Association of School Administrators (SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year Award.
Stu Rodman
Board Chair
Stu Rodman
Board Chair
Founder and Vice-Chairman of the PPF Board, Hilton Head Island resident Stu Rodman is a retired businessman and veteran. He leads several ministries and serves in others, including Christ Central, Silver Ring Thing, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Palmetto Family Council, and the Military Ministry. He also serves on Beaufort County Council.
Jeff Koenig
Board Member
Jeff Koenig
Board Member
Jeff Koenig, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, commenced from the University of South Carolina in 1977 when he also received his Commission as a 2ndLt in the United States Marine Corps. Following eight years of active duty as a CH-46E helicopter pilot, which included service in Beirut Lebanon, he entered the business world in 1984. For 10 years, he served as a Property & Casualty Reinsurance Broker, then in 1994 he helped start and eventually became President & CEO of Premier Health Systems, Inc, a Managed Care Network owned by Baptist Medical Center and Providence Hospital. Following Premier being acquired, Jeff joined the National Alliance Division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina in 2010 and retired as Senior Director in April 2022. He continued his military service in the USMC Reserves and retired as a LtCol in 1999. In the early 1990s, Jeff also served on the School Improvement Council for Brennen Elementary School in Columbia, and at the end of 2022, concluded a three year term on the Marines’ Memorial Association’s Board of Directors in San Francisco, CA.
Jeff and his wife, the former Gill Macmurphy, have lived in Columbia since 1988 and have been members of First Presbyterian Church since 1993 where Jeff has served two terms as a Deacon and participated in four short term mission trips to Mexico. They have three grown children, Jeff Jr. (Dana), Maggie (Joey) and Bill (Keeana), two grandsons, Heath and Garrett, one granddaughter, Mary Aiken and a grandson due in July 2023.
Jeff and his wife, the former Gill Macmurphy, have lived in Columbia since 1988 and have been members of First Presbyterian Church since 1993 where Jeff has served two terms as a Deacon and participated in four short term mission trips to Mexico. They have three grown children, Jeff Jr. (Dana), Maggie (Joey) and Bill (Keeana), two grandsons, Heath and Garrett, one granddaughter, Mary Aiken and a grandson due in July 2023.