Administrative Team

Dr. Maranda Hayward proudly serves as principal of Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School, bringing 18 years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student success, continuous academic growth, and building a strong school community. Dr. Hayward began her career with the Richland Two family in 2008 as a special education resource teacher at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary. After eight years of serving in the classroom, she transitioned into school administration, serving for eight years as an assistant principal at Forest Lake Elementary School before returning to Lonnie B. Nelson as principal in 2024.

For Dr. Hayward, leading Lonnie B. Nelson is especially meaningful because it is the school where her career in education began. She believes that meaningful relationships, high expectations, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success create an environment where every student can thrive. She is passionate about creating a school culture where students feel supported and challenged, staff members are empowered to grow and lead, and families are valued as essential partners in their children’s education.

Dr. Hayward holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, a Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of South Carolina. During her time as a special education teacher, Dr. Hayward earned National Board Certification, reflecting her commitment to effective teaching, continuous professional growth, and positively impacting student learning. Her leadership development also includes being a 2023–2024 SCASA CEEL Silver Strand Aspiring Principal.

As she continues her journey as principal of Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary, Dr. Hayward is honored to serve a community that holds a special place in her heart and looks forward to leading alongside students, staff, and families. 

Brandon Foote is excited to begin his third year as Assistant Principal at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary. A dedicated educator with a deep commitment to student success and school culture, Mr. Foote is proud to continue serving the students, staff, and families of "The Hive."

Prior to joining Lonnie B. Nelson, Mr. Foote served as an Assistant Administrator at both the Center for Inquiry and the Center for Achievement. His administrative leadership is rooted in a strong foundation of hands-on classroom experience, having spent 14 years teaching 2nd through 5th grades at the Center for Inquiry. Mr. Foote holds both a Master’s in Educational Administration and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of South Carolina.

At the heart of Mr. Foote’s leadership philosophy is a dual passion: empowering students to reach their fullest potential and guiding teachers as growing professionals. He believes that true academic and personal growth happens when children are encouraged to take risks, think critically, and discover their unique strengths in a safe, supportive environment.

Equally important to Mr. Foote is partnering with educators. He sees teacher development as a collaborative, mentorship-driven process. By providing meaningful feedback, facilitating targeted professional learning, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous growth, Mr. Foote strives to equip teachers with the tools, confidence, and inspiration they need to thrive in the classroom—knowing that strong, supported teachers ultimately build the brightest futures for students.

Outside of school, Mr. Foote enjoys spending quality time with his family. He enjoys camping and hiking, diving into a good book, or gathering around the table with family and friends for a friendly board game.

Dr. Melissa Pollard has dedicated over 20 years to the field of education. She began her career in Sumter, South Carolina, as a middle-level English Language Arts teacher. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her contributions to education, earning honors such as two-time Teacher of the Year, Reading Teacher of the Year, and WLTX Teacher of the Week. Passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences, Dr. Pollard strives to empower students to grow, learn, and lead. In 2019, she joined the Richland Two family, continuing to teach middle school before transitioning to the elementary level as a Technology and Learning Coach.

Her personal motto, "Never tell me what a child cannot do," reflects her unwavering commitment to student success and her dedication to fostering environments where every child is encouraged to dream big, persevere, and reach their fullest potential. She is also the author of two children’s books, Counting on Friends and Dream Chasers, which continue to inspire young learners, educators, and families alike.

Dr. Pollard holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Allen University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from South University. She earned both a Master’s Degree in School Administration and a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University.

As she enters her second year as Assistant Principal, Dr. Pollard is excited to continue building meaningful relationships with students, faculty and staff, families, and community partners. She believes that strong partnerships are the foundation of student success and is dedicated to creating a school community where everyone feels valued and empowered. When she's not at school, Dr. Pollard enjoys spending time with her family and friends.