Todd is new high school principal

North Myrtle Beach High School has a new principal, although she’s actually been a part of the school for 25 years.

Former assistant principal Teresa Todd replaces Trevor Strawderman who left to move to Charleston after a decade-long and illustrious stint at the school. Todd started at the school as a math teacher for 13 years followed by becoming an instructional coach for four, then assistant principal since then, so she has a long view.

“We’re at a good place,’’ Todd said. “We want to continue moving forward.’’

Strawderman was known not only for his community involvement but as a “tough but fair’’ disciplinarian who brought added safety, order and the loyalty of teachers. Asked about any dubious thoughts that she would not follow that same path toward discipline, Todd laughed and said, “I wouldn’t say I’m lenient.’’

She said her approach would be “very similar’’ to Strawderman.

Todd’s goal is to increase graduation rates, which traditionally hover around 85 percent. That number can be misleading because, due to the sometimes transient nature of this area, students may move elsewhere and forget to have their new school report back. Any student who started school in 9th grade is now tracked and counts toward graduation rates, so it is important that they be found. Todd wants to continue to focus on getting accurate records.

“If they graduated elsewhere, it doesn’t count against us, but it’s when we don’t know that it does. So we’re trying hard to keep up with those who leave us.’’

Todd has a head for figures and an astonishing recall of dates. A further strength is that, “I was in the classroom for a long time.’’

The school grows every year; enrollment is projected to be around 1,450 for the coming year.

Todd said she wants the students to “work hard but enjoy their time here.’’

With a strong fine arts program, a state-award-winning ROTC, as well as all range of sports, Todd says, there are plenty of opportunities for students to find some connections beyond just the classroom. “I want kids to come here, learn, have fun, find their niche and maybe it’s something that they can build into a career after they leave. We do want them to work hard, but I’d like them to look back at their high school years fondly.’’

Todd, 46, has lived in Horry County for most of her life. Her family moved from Atlanta to Aynor when she was 11. She earned a bachelors and two masters degrees from Coastal Carolina University.

She said she never had a strict roadmap of where she wanted her career to take her, but followed new opportunities as they presented themselves. “In none of these positions did I already think, ‘I want to do this.’ I was happy where I was each time, but when an opportunity arose, it seemed like it fit.’’

Even though the school is growing with new residents, she is at the place now where she oversees some of the children of parents she once taught. She also appreciates the supportive atmosphere among the staff. “We’re a family. We work together well and try to help each other where we can.’’

Todd is married to Bryan, an HVAC technician for Horry Telephone, and they have two children. The oldest, Brianna, just graduated from North Myrtle Beach High School and will be attending Anderson University this fall. Her youngest, son Preston, enters the school as a freshman this year, which engendered a smile as she said, “That will be interesting. My daughter was very quiet and they are opposites.’’

In her spare time, Todd enjoys reading mysteries, going to the river and watching The Food Network. They also spend a lot of time at the baseball field because her son plays.