Vondre’ T. Whaley is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina where he graduated from Orangeburg Wilkinson High School in 1991. He attended South Carolina State University and graduated in 1995 with a degree in Biology Education and a minor in chemistry.
After 7 years of teaching physical science and physics at Orangeburg Wilkinson, he headed to Richland One as a Mission Commander at the Challenger Learning Center. While at the Challenger Center, he was instrumental in developing programming, lessons, and initiatives centered on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He wrote grants for the Junior Astronauts and SEMAA programs, which brought the first Aerospace Education Laboratory to the district.
He worked on the administration team as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal at A.C. Flora High School for 5 years after receiving a master’s in educational administration from Grand Canyon University. Most recently, he worked as an assistant principal at Eau Claire High School, where he led the Freshman Academy team, attendance, Shamrock Watch Initiative, special education department, and the Edgenuity program.
He served as the principal of W.J. Keenan High School for 7 years, where the entire team coined the phrase, “Intentional Bonding,” to focus on building relationships with young people.
While at W.J. Keenan High School, he and his team moved the school from a graduation rate of 69% to 92.3%. They also took the school from a state rating of below average to average within a 4-year period.
Outside of school, he has presented on state and national levels, in addition to training many teachers, department leaders, and school level administrators. He has also started a software company and is the founder and chief visionary of Purple Consultants.
Vondre’ enjoys conducting professional development, mentoring principals, and educators who want to serve as school leaders.
He is married to Andreaetta J. Whaley, and they have two beautiful children, Vone’ and Vondre’ II.