The Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on the district, state, and national level. The Teacher of the Year Awards not only assist in retention efforts but serve as a powerful recruitment tool to the educator profession. (Click on the teacher's name to watch their classroom video)
Previous Award Winners
2026
Corey Bedenbaugh, Lexington School District Three
2025
Braden Wilson, Anderson School District One
2024
Renee' Atkinson, Horry County Schools
2023
Deion Jamison, S.C. Public Charter School District
2022
Amy Carter, Lexington-Richland School District Five
2021
Sarah Gams, Lexington-Richland School District Five
2020
Chanda Jefferson, Fairfield County School District
2019
Jeffrey Maxey, Anderson County School District Three
2018
Erin Fox, Cherokee County School District
2017
Jennifer Wise, Richland County School District One
2016
Suzanne Koty, Sumter County School District
2015
Jennifer Ainsworth, Horry County School District
2014
Darleen Sutton, Pickens County School District
2013
Amy McAllister, Florence County School District Five
2012
Patti Tate, York County School District Three
2011
Kelly H. Nalley, Greenville County School District
2010
Bryan Coburn, Rock Hill County School District
2009
Jenna Hallman, Anderson County School District Five
2008
Ann Marie Taylor, Kershaw County School District
2007
Jennifer (Buffy) Murphy, Lexington/Richland County School District Five
2006
Stephanie Seay, Spartanburg County School District Five
2005
Linda (Cookie) Winburn, Richland County School District Two
2004
Jason S. Fulmer, Aiken County School District
2003
Christi W. McCollum, Richland County School District Two
2002
Traci Young Cooper, Richland County School District One
2001
Christa M. Compton, Richland County School District Two
2000
Mary Hamilton Lostetter, Kershaw County School District
1999
Nancy Elizabeth (Libby) Baker, Chesterfield County School District Fifty
1998
Christine Fisher, Florence County School District One
1997
Kelly G. McCalla, Greenwood County School District Fifty
1996
Debra H. Templin, Newberry County School District
1995
Cathy S. Scott, Lexington County School District One
1994
Dodie Burns Magil, Greenville County School District
1993
Dodie Burns Magil, Greenville County School District
1992
Jeanne C. Sink, Charleston County School District
1991
Nancy C. Townsend, Florence County School District One
1990
Maria McAlister Pyles, Greenwood County School District Fifty
1989
Carolyn T. Ross, Oconee County School District
1988
Angela B. Brkhalter, Aiken County School District
1987
Beverly Varnado, Charleston County School District
1986
Charles H. Long, Jr., Charleston County School District
1985
Therese (Terry) Dozier, Lexington County School District
1984
Fanya C. Paouris, Greenville County School District
1983
Catherine H. Williams, Richland County School District One
1982
Mary Ann Blaskowitz, Kershaw County School District
1981
Sara W. Payne, Greenville County School District
1980
Sharon E. Rankin, Aiken County School District
1979
Colonel Jerry M. Sage, Richland County School District Two
1978
James G. Mattos, Greenville County School District
1977
J. Grady Locklear, Sumter County School District Seventeen
1976
Elizabeth Smith Cox, Pickens County School District
1975
Delura Jane Satterfield, Greenville County School District
1974
Marguerite B. McCaskill, Lexington County School District Two
1973
Hazel W. Joiner, Rock Hill County School District Three
1972
Pamelia S. Cromer, Lexington County School District Two
1971
Martha Marian Stringfellow, Chester County School District
1970
James K. Brayboy, Dillon County School District Two
1969
Agnes Hildebrand Wilson, Sumter County School District Seventeen
1968
Vivian McInnis Forgartie, Dillon County School District Two
1967
Ruby P. (Bela) Herlong, Saluda County School District
1966
Elizabeth A. Godfrey, Aiken County School District
1965
Mary A. Mace, Richland County School District
1960
Elizabeth Stewart, Florence County School District Three
1956
Maude A. Hudson, Greenwood County School District Fifty
National Teachers of the Year
1985
Therese (Terry) Dozier
1971
Martha Marian Stringfellow
National Finalists
2004
Jason S. Fulmer
2001
Christa M. Compton
1994
Dodie Burns Magil
1990
Maria McAlister Pyles
1970
James K. Brayboy
1969
Agnes Hildebrand Wilson
1967
Ruby P. (Bela) Herlong
1965
Mary A. Mace
1960
Elizabeth Stewart
1956
Maude A. Hudson
