Top Ten Finalists Announced for 2012-13 GCS Teacher of the Year
Ten finalists have been selected in the 2012-13 Greenville County Teacher of the Year program.
They are, in alphabetical order: Abigail Cook, Chemistry, Wade Hampton High; Matt Critell, Kindergarten, Fork Shoals School; Jillian Grimsley, Fifth Grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts; Jessica Jackson, Special Education, West Greenville School; Brian Morgan, Art, Duncan Chapel Elementary; Sara Newell, Fifth Grade, Sterling School; Will Ragland, Drama, Woodmont High; Rex Smith, Sixth Grade Science, League Academy of Communication Arts; Jennifer Valenti, Eighth Grade Spanish, Northwood Middle; and Sherryan Yarbrough, Kindergarten, Blythe Academy of Languages.
Profile of Top Ten Teachers
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| Abigail Cook Chemistry, Wade Hampton High Teaching Experience - 6 Present School - 6 Education – Bachelor’s - Clemson University; Master’s - Clemson University |
Matt Critell Kindergarten, Fork Shoals School Teaching Experience – 4 ½ Present School - 3 Education – Bachelor’s – Youngstown State University |
Jillian Grimsley Fifth Grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts Teaching Experience - 4 Present School - 4 Education – Bachelor’s – Furman University; Master’s – Converse College |
Jessica Jackson Special Education, West Greenville School Teaching Experience - 14 Present School - 6 Education – Bachelor’s – Clemson University |
Brian Morgan Art, Duncan Chapel Elementary Teaching Experience - 9 Present School - 6 Education – Bachelor’s – Berea College; Master’s – Furman University |
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| Sara Newell Fifth Grade, Sterling School Teaching Experience - 13 Present School - 6 Education –Bachelor’s – University of South Carolina @ Spartanburg; Master’s – Converse College |
Will Ragland Drama, Woodmont High Teaching Experience - 9 Present School - 4 Education – Bachelor’s – Davidson College |
Rex Smith Sixth Grade Science, League Academy of Communication Arts Teaching Experience - 25 Present School - Education – Bachelor’s – Western Carolina University |
Jennifer Valenti Eighth Grade Spanish, Northwood Middle Teaching Experience - 15 Present School - 10 Education – Bachelor’s – Columbia College; Master’s – Columbia College |
Sherryan Yarbrough Kindergarten, Blythe Academy of Languages Teaching Experience - 14 Present School - 4 Education – Bachelor’s – Lenoir-Rhyne College; Master’s – Southeastern Theological Seminary |
The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year. These teachers submitted applications which addressed their educational history and professional development, a professional biography, community involvement, philosophy of teaching, education issues and trends, the teaching profession, and a personal message to educators and the general public.
Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the ten finalists. The announcement naming Greenville County’s 2012-13 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.
The members of the Selection Committee are Dr. Temi Bidjerano, Furman University; Mr. Herb Johnson, Michelin North America; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; Mrs. Fanya Paouris, former Greenville and South Carolina Teacher of the Year; and Mr. Tobin Wolverton, The Rotary Club of Greenville.