Palmetto Teachers of Excellence Award for Social Studies
Loyd Henderson (Travelers Rest High), Kathy Hopkins (Berea Middle), and Lauren Heppeard (Brushy Creek Elementary) have been named 2014 recipients of the Palmetto Teachers of Excellence Award for Social Studies. The awards are presented annually by the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies.
Educators are selected based on their knowledge of content, passion for quality, engaging instruction, willingness to share and collaborate with their colleagues, and their overall effectiveness in the classroom.
Loyd Henderson, a social studies teacher at Travelers Rest High School, teaches all levels of classes from freshman geography to IB History of the Americas. He has been previously recognized as a TRHS Teacher of the Year and has devoted countless hours to non-classroom activities, including acting in and set design for multiple school plays and musical productions, sponsoring award winning student videos, and serving as a Youth in Government sponsor. He is a graduate of Bob Jones University.
Kathy Hopkins, a sixth grade social studies teacher at Berea Middle School, believes all students, no matter where they are, can excel and grow. She uses motivation and passion to inspire students to learn. Ms. Hopkins previously worked as a special education teacher at Woodmont Middle, Sevier Middle, and West Greenville before becoming a teacher at Berea Middle. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Newberry College, and history and special education degrees from Clemson University.
Lauren Heppeard, a third grade teacher at Brushy Creek Elementary School, is in her eighth year of teaching in Greenville County Schools, and her third year at Brushy Creek. She serves as the grade-level chairperson and works with Student Council, and is the daughter of two retired GCS teachers. Lauren earned a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University and a master’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University.