Teacher of the Year
2020-2021 - Liz Teeple - Fourth Grade Teacher
In May of 2012, I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Bob Jones University. This was my 5th year teaching & my 5th year at Oakview Elementary. I student taught in 2012 with Ms. Olivier right here at Oakview! I also had the opportunity to sub at Oakview for 3 years before securing my  own teaching position in 2015. I enjoy traveling (especially to the beach), sailing, kayaking, fishing, photography, puzzles, & being with friends and family.
I come from a long line of life long learners who saw the value in education and passed that love of learning to me. I became a teacher to share that passion and love of learning with my students. My biggest desire is that my students learn through experience and involvement. My education was very traditional, and I wanted to provide a safe space for students who learn in different ways and those who need a safe space to thrive within.
My favorite part of teaching has to be the relationships that I form with my students. I love being able to watch them grow in confidence, knowledge, and kindness throughout their time in the classroom. I aim to help students grow in leadership, creative thinking, and teamwork each day. Watching students become confident in themselves has to be my favorite part of teaching! We all doubt ourselves, but it really is the small things that can make the difference, and I get to provide that encouragement for each for my students.
2019-2020 - Charnley Demeritt - STEM Lab Teacher
Congratulations to STEM Lab Teacher, Charnley Demeritt, on being selected as Oakview Elementary's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Demeritt has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Elementary Education from Furman University. She has been teaching 26 years, and has been at Oakview for 6 of those. Mrs. Demeritt enjoys reading, writing, and walking in her free time. She enjoys going to the movies and watching the amazing plays put on at our local theater. She also loves being around children--she says it keeps her young! Mrs. Demeritt views the STEM Lab as the best job ever! She says, "I get to engage students in creative problem solving challenges, help them understand the world around them and how it works, get students excited and interested in science (girls, especially!) and help them understand that "failure" isn't the end, just the beginning of learning. Being honored as Oakview's Teacher of the Year reinforces that my passions are making an impact with our students." Oakview appreciates you sharing those passions with our students! Thank you for being our Teacher of the Year!
2018-2019 - Catherine Agnew - Second through Fifth Grade
Congratulations to teacher, Mrs. Catherine Agnew, on being selected as Oakview Elementary's Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Agnew graduated from Georgia College and State University in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. In May 2012, she received a Master's Degree in Special Education Adaptive Curriculum, with a concentration in Classic Autism, from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Agnew has been teaching eight years. When not at school, she loves baking, cooking, animals, and going to sporting events--especially Georgia football (Go Dawgs!). She and her husband love to cook and play golf together. They also enjoy hiking with their three dogs. Mrs. Agnew has a passion for working with children, especially those with special needs. She says, "My favorite part about teaching is my remarkable students! My greatest joy in teaching is getting to help my students achieve things others think is not possible for them. They get so excited when they learn something new!" Mrs. Agnew feels that her students are the ones who really deserve to be honored and adds, "Speechless, humbled, and honored are the first words to mind when I found out I was selected as Oakview's Teacher of the Year. What a privilege to be part of such an extraordinary staff!" Oakview is proud to have Mrs. Agnew as a part of our family. Thank you for being our Teacher of the Year!
2017-2018 - Sarah Poole - Fifth Grade
Congratulations to Fifth Grade teacher, Mrs. Sarah Poole, on being selected as Oakview Elementary's 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Poole has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Clemson and a Master's Degree in Administration & Supervision from Clemson. Mrs. Poole has been teaching for 7 years and her favorite subject in school was Social Studies. Her favorite subject to teach is a tie between Reading and Social Studies. Congratulations to Mrs. Poole for being selected as the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year for Oakview.
2016-2017 - Mary Downing - First Grade
I have known I wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old, and it has been a dream come true! In 2005, I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I grew up in Charleston and taught first grade in Summerville for 8 years. I have been here in Greenville for the past year and a half, and I absolutely love it here! I enjoy being outside and often go hiking and camping with friends and family. I am so honored and excited to be Oakview's Teacher of the year and look forward to the year ahead!
2015-2016 - Gwen Brown - Media Specialist
I received my Bachelor’s degree at Clemson University and my Master’s degree from The University of South Carolina. I grew up in Greenville and live here with my family. I am married and have one daughter that goes to Oakview. I have spent the best eight years of my career here at Oakview. It is such an honor to be nominated as teacher of the year! I have the best job in the world and I am the grateful to have the opportunity to work with the children and teachers at Oakview. My favorite part of my job is seeing the love of learning grow in the students every day. I hope to continue to foster a love of the library and reading in each and every student at Oakview. Thank you for choosing me as Teacher of the Year!
2014-2015 Jake Gambrell - Second Grade
I graduated from North Greenville University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and from Clemson University with my Master's of Education Degree in Literacy. I grew up and live in Greenville. My family is very important to me. I have one sister, Trish, who is older than me. I also have one nephew, Mikael James, who is starting second grade this year! He keeps us all very, very busy! I have one dog, who is very special to me. He is a Chihuahua, named Rosco. I enjoy being outside. I love to go running. I have participated in several 5K and 10K races. (Someday, I would like to train and run a marathon.) I also like to go hiking when the weather is enjoyable. I like to garden and am often outside working in my yard on the weekends.