Ms. Wanda Wright-Sheats attended Winthrop College, now Winthrop University., with a Bachelor of Science and a dual major in Distributive Education and Merchandising. She started her teaching career at a vocational center in Dillion, South Carolina. Her teaching career spans from high school to kindergarten. Returned to Charleston County to teach Home Economics at Rhett Middle school for three years before accepting an apprenticeship at The College of Charleston in Early Childhood. Ms. Wright-Sheats received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, went to Berkeley County for a year and returned to Charleston County to teach at James Simons Elementary where she taught various grades for a number of years. Ms. Wright-Sheats served as Lead Teacher her last five years at James Simons. As the lead teacher, she was able to write and secure several grants, one totaling a quarter of a million dollars to improve reading instruction.

Ms. Wright-Sheats received her certification in Administration and Supervision from the Citadel and in 2005, became the principal of Charleston Progressive Academy where she currently serves. Charleston Progressive Academy is a county wide Title One magnet school. Under her tenure the magnet focus changed to leadership and fitness and became a Franklin Covey Leader in Me School. In 2016, Charleston Progressive received the distinct recognition as a model Leader in Me School, joining at that time four thousand schools internationally that had been honored as a Lighthouse Leader in Me School.

Ms. Wright-Sheats has dedicated forty years as an educator working in Charleston District 20 as an advocate for children and a mentor to the next generation of administrators. As the school’s administrator, she has had the privilege of mentoring three teachers that have gone on to become administrators. Throughout her career, she has been guided and empowered by the words of St. Jerome, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your

better is best.” As she strives to lead and empower the next generation of children, at Charleston Progressive Academy, these words have motivated her to show up and give 150% to each student every day. As long as Ms. Wright-Sheats is an educator, she is driven to instill in every student who crosses the threshold of Charleston Progressive Academy, to never rest until their good is better and their better is their best!