Lexington, SC - The certified staff at each of Lexington County School District One’s 30 schools recently chose one certified teacher to represent them in the district’s 2017–2018 Teacher of the Year selection process.
This year’s honorees are Carolina Springs Elementary 5-Year-Old Kindergarten Teacher Karissa B. Cockrell, Carolina Springs Middle Grades Six–Eight Art Teacher Sean Christopher Lafaye; Deerfield Elementary First-Grade Teacher Rachel S. Booth, Forts Pond Elementary Third-Grade Teacher Carly J. Bain, Gilbert Elementary Third-Grade Teacher Pamela B. Glover, Gilbert High Social Studies Teacher V. Marianne A. Haney, Gilbert Middle Eighth-Grade English Language Arts Teacher Eric J. Stamey, Gilbert Primary 5-Year-Old Kindergarten and First-Grade Teacher Christie R. Gross, Lake Murray Elementary Third-Grade Teacher Mary E. Lambert, Lexington Elementary English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher Kathryn M. Shahoud, Lexington High Science Teacher Kelly G. Kennerly, Lexington Middle Eighth-Grade Social Studies Teacher Debbie Darlington, Lexington Technology Center Digital Art and Design Teacher Cynthia L. Ward, Meadow Glen Elementary Media Arts Teacher Moraima Rosario, Meadow Glen Middle English Language Arts Teacher Janna M. Petersen, Midway Elementary Fifth-Grade Teacher Samantha H. Leitzsey, New Providence Elementary Second-Grade Teacher Kelly D. Herring, Oak Grove Elementary Fourth-Grade English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher Conner D. Rogers, Pelion Elementary Third-Grade Teacher Haley Reynolds Hite, Pelion High Social Studies Teacher Melissa L. Craft, Pelion Middle Eighth-Grade Science Teacher Asha L. Curry, Pleasant Hill Elementary School Counselor D’Etta P. Broam, Pleasant Hill Middle Special Education Teacher Mary Ashley Rodriguez, Red Bank Elementary English for Speakers of Other Languages and Reading Recovery Teacher Alecia W. Clamp, River Bluff High Mathematics Teacher and Teacher Cadet Instructor Claire M. Compton, Rocky Creek Elementary First-Grade Teacher Kristen C. Taylor, Saxe Gotha Elementary Third-Grade Teacher Jacqulyne P. Nuovo, White Knoll Elementary Interventionist Margaret “Peggy” Phillips, White Knoll High Health Science Teacher Katrina L. Haynes and White Knoll Middle Sixth-Grade Science Teacher Tiffany A. Shull.
These poised and articulate teachers possess a superior ability to impart knowledge to and inspire students with a love of learning; keep abreast of current educational theories and practices through professional development; devote time and energy to activities that improve instruction for children; show examples of innovative practices in their classrooms; contribute to the field of education by conducting seminars and workshops, and by supporting fellow teachers in their professional development; have the respect and admiration of students, parents and co-workers; and play active roles in their communities and schools.
They now complete written applications, which will be read and scored by five teams of judges using an established rubric. Two Teachers of the Year with the highest application scores from each of the five teams become finalists, resulting in 10 finalists.
The 10 finalists will be judged again in three categories — paperwork, interview and classroom observation. One of these finalists becomes the district TOY.
The 7 p.m. celebration of all the district’s Teachers of the Year and the announcement of the district’s new District Teacher of the Year takes place Thursday, March 29, 2018, at the Lexington One Performing Arts Center located on the campus of Lexington High School.
