Ten Finalists Named in GCS Teacher of the Year Program
Ten finalists have been selected in the 2017-18 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year program. They are, in alphabetical order
- Suzanne Billings, 4th Grade, Plain Elementary School
- Jeremy Bowen, Mathematics, J.L. Mann High Academy
- Scott Buhr, Physics/Earth Science, Hillcrest High School
- David Dejesa, Social Studies/Speech and Debate, Riverside High School
- Anjosia Ellerbe, Business Education, Wade Hampton High School
- Chancey Greco, English Language Arts, Greenville Middle Academy
- Ashley Jenkins, World History, Woodmont High School
- Lauren Long, English, Hillcrest Middle School
- Thomas McAuliff, 3rd Grade, Taylors Elementary School
- Erin Rigot, Communications, League Middle Academy
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 included a professional biography, educational history and professional development, 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 Top Ten. The announcement naming Greenville County’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.
The members of the Selection Committee are Mrs. Lillie Lewis, Southern Wesleyan University; Mrs. Kelly Nalley, former Greenville County Schools and South Carolina Teacher of the Year; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; Mr. Scott Powell, The Rotary Club of Greenville; and Mr. Bill Tyler, Greer Chick-fil-A.
Profiles of Top Ten Finalists
Suzanne Billings, 4th Grade, Plain Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 18
Education – Bachelor’s in Special Education, Furman University; Master’s in Elementary School Guidance Counseling, Clemson University
Jeremy Bowen, Mathematics, J.L. Mann High Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 5
Education – Bachelor’s in Mathematics Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in Education, Anderson University
Scott Buhr, Physics/Earth Science, Hillcrest High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 4
Education – Bachelor’s in Composite Science Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in Educational Leadership, Bob Jones University
David Dejesa, Social Studies/Speech and Debate, Riverside High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 13
Education – Bachelor’s in Composite Social Studies Education, Bob Jones University; Master’s in History Secondary Education, Converse College
Anjosia Ellerbe, Business Education, Wade Hampton High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 10
Education – Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Columbia College; Master’s of Education, Southern Wesleyan University; Master’s of Business Administration, Southern Wesleyan University
Chancey Greco, English Language Arts, Greenville Middle Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 6
Education – Bachelor’s in English, Coastal Carolina University; Master’s in Teaching Middle Level English, Clemson University
Ashley Jenkins, World History, Woodmont High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 23
Education – Bachelor’s in Secondary Education with specialization in Social Studies, Presbyterian College; Master’s in Secondary Education with specialization in Social Studies, Furman University
Lauren Long, English, Hillcrest Middle School
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 7
Education – Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education, Anderson University; Master’s in Education, Anderson University; Master’s in Educational Leadership, University of South Carolina
Thomas McAuliff, 3rd Grade, Taylors Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 5
Education – Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, North Greenville University; Master’s in Learning and Technology, Western Governor’s University
Erin Rigot, Communications, League Middle Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 7
Education – Bachelor’s in Middle School Education, English Language Arts and Social Studies, Presbyterian College; Master’s in Teaching and Learning, Clemson University