Sylvia Wright

Sylvia Wright (Democratic Party) is running for election for South Carolina Superintendent of Education. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. She advanced from the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sylvia was born and raised in North Charleston, South Carolina. I am a product of South Carolina’s public education system. I attended Lambs Elementary, Goodwin Elementary, and Oakbrook Middle School. I graduated from Fort Dorchester High School. I continued my education earning advanced degrees from Columbia College and The Citadel. I am currently working on my Doctor of Education at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.

​My family values serving others. My Dad retired from the United States Air Force and my Mom was a customer service agent for Southern Bell, also known as Bellsouth, until she retired. For the past two decades I have continued this legacy. I not only serve as a public school educator, I am actively involved with the youth department at my church and youth activities in the community. My children continue the legacy of service. My son is in the Air Force and my daughter is pursuing her nursing degree.

As a teacher, military spouse, and parent, I have walked in the shoes of many South Carolinians. With over 20 years of experience, I have seen the triumphs and challenges of our education system, from the bustling classrooms of Sumter to the historic halls of Charleston. I have felt the weight of responsibility, the joy of success, and the sting of systems that sometimes fall short. But through it all, one thing remains clear: our children deserve the best.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Priority: The Whole Child Approach to Learning

Prioritize social emotional learning and self-regulation to address behavior issues at the root-cause, allowing a more positive and productive environment for the student, teacher, and classroom

Better address the challenges 21st century students face by increasing the number of social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists within schools and throughout districts statewide

Collaborate with community-based organizations, governmental agencies, and non-profit stakeholders to address the systemic needs of children, and other identified barriers to well-being.Priority: Recruitment & Retention of High Quality Teachers

Provide an enhanced tax credit and childcare vouchers to educators; partner with daycares and afterschool programs to ensure sufficient high-quality programs across the state

Strengthen discipline policies that protect teachers in school and online

Improve working conditions and support structures for teachers and reduce excessive standardized testing

Establish a minimum uniform rate for professional development and meetings before and / or after work hours

Ensure teacher preparation programs are giving teachers the tools to educate 21st century learners and evolve student teaching to a paid internship model (ie. Clemson and USC CAP’s mentoring / residency program)Priority: Transparency & Accountability

Ensure taxpayer money is allocated effectively for the betterment of all public school students

Monitor performance of state and district strategic plans with rigor and accountability to taxpayers

Work collaboratively with stakeholders to proactively identify, address, and solve areas for improvement

Develop evidence-based research frameworks to collect, analyze, and report data with actionable, solutions-based insights

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

N/A

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

March on PAC