Participation in the Teacher of the Year Program by any school district in South Carolina is optional, yet strongly encouraged. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to nominate one teacher from their district. The selection methods used in the process are at the discretion of the school district; however, the SCDE advises and encourages districts to use the state’s application as a guide to their own selection processes.

What are the eligibility criteria?

• A candidate for SC Teacher of the Year is a classroom teacher in a public pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, middle, or secondary school. This includes all subject area teachers, vocational teachers, school librarians, school counselors, curriculum resource teachers, teacher specialists, speech-language pathologists, and lead teachers who are planning to continue in an active teaching status. Active teaching status means that the teacher is planning to continue teaching (e.g. not retiring or moving into an administrative position the following year).
• The candidate must be a continuing-contract teacher and have direct contact with students a minimum of three hours a day, on average. Nominees must hold a valid South Carolina teaching certificate, with the exception of ROTC teachers who must be qualified by the appropriate area of service, and must not have served as District Teacher of the Year in the same district during the 4 (four) previous years.
• The candidate collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success; they deliberately connect the classroom and key community stakeholders to foster a strong community at large.
• The candidate devotes time and energy to activities, which result in improved instruction for all children, and they guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence. They demonstrate a desire to keep abreast of current instructional best practices through continued professional development. They show a superior ability to impart knowledge to students and to inspire them to be lifelong learners.
• The candidate demonstrates the ability and willingness to contribute to the field of education by conducting seminars, workshops, and being involved in training and assisting fellow teachers in their professional development. They show examples of innovative practices in their classrooms.
• As an ambassador for the public education system in the state, the South Carolina Teacher of the Year serves for one year as Teacher in Residence at CERRA and as Chair of the South Carolina Teacher Forum. The SC Teacher of the Year will make numerous public appearances during the year. A candidate for SC Teacher of the Year is an effective communicator and has the ability to plan and execute a very busy schedule.
• The candidate is of good moral character. The individual must not have previously engaged, nor will engage, in any activities, which, if disclosed to the public, would bring them or the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Program into disrepute, ridicule, or contempt. This includes, but is not limited to, any type of illegal drug use, illegal behavior or activity, felony conviction, probation or misdemeanor, which involves moral turpitude, nude, lewd, or lascivious media, as well as postings on social media.