WHITMIRE — Whitmire Community School will have a new principal this fall with former principal Joey Haney stepping up to assistant superintendent with the district.
Haney’s shoes will be filled by Daniel McGlohorn, assistant principal at Mid-Carolina Middle School.
He said Haney is leaving him a well-kept vehicle and he’s not really looking to shake things up.
“I’m just going to let the car ride,” he said. “It’s kind of like getting your dad’s sports car — just don’t mess it up.”
McGlohorn, 33, is a self described “product of Newberry County” and attended Mid-Carolina High School.
“I had no idea I was going to be a teacher,” he said. “I started out in engineering and found out it wasn’t for me. I’m a people person.”
McGlohorn received his undergrad from Clemson University before going on to earn two master’s degrees — one in curriculum, instruction and assessment, and the other in administration.
He spent a year in Anderson School District One before returning to Newberry County where he coached football and taught social studies at WCS for five years.
After Whitmire, McGlohorn bounced over to Mid-Carolina Middle School where he was serving as assistant principal until his recent promotion.
Based on his time previously spent in Whitmire and already knowing the staff, he said he expects the transition to his new position to be easy.
“It’s kind of like coming home,” he said.
Uncommon by today’s standards, WCS houses all grades in one school and McGlohorn said it’s “cool” to watch a student flourish from the age of 4 until they turn 18.
“I believe in educating the whole student — not just test scores and grades,” he said.
McGlohorn said he feels the best way in which to support teachers is just by always being positive, making sure they have access to any and all resources they need and giving them plenty of time to plan and prepare.
“I learned over my four years being (an assistant principal) little things you can do to make them feel appreciated,” he said.
An example of one of those “little things” he said is hosting pot-lucks for teachers.
“Sitting down and eating as a family — sometimes that’s the best thing ever,” he said.
McGlohorn said outside of work he enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as engaging in a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing and gardening.