Greenville County Teacher of the Year 2020-2021

Greenville County Schools

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

ANGELICA CHILDES 3rd Grade – Summit Drive Elementary School

FIRST RUNNER-UP

Caitlin Scott Band – Woodmont Middle School

SECOND RUNNER-UP

Matthew Large

Mathematics – Wade Hampton High School

THIRD RUNNER-UP

Cyndi Waddell Dance – Stone Academy

Pottery and science unit with teaching artist, Shane Bryant, at Sterling Elementary School

What is SmartARTS? SmartARTS is the Metropolitan Arts Council’s arts education initiative that provides Greenville County Schools with teaching artists, art supplies and arts integration training to improve academic achievement in the curricular areas of science, math, history and language arts.

The program was begun in 2002 with three grants from the U.S. Department of Education that totaled $2.1 million.

Since the federal funding expired in 2007, MAC has raised over $3.2 million to expand the program into 73 schools throughout the district.

In 2016, TD Bank established the TD Center for Arts Integration at MAC with a gift of $200,000.

In 2018, the Graham Foundation provided $220,000 for SmartARTS. This is MAC’s single largest foundation gift.

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2019 was a record-setting year for SmartARTS with 86 artsintegrated units across 34 schools, up from 17 schools in the 2016–17 school year.

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Support SmartARTS by visiting our website: greenvillearts.com/smartarts it a l un Mura

TD Center for Arts Integration at the Metropolitan Arts Council 16 Augusta Street | Greenville, SC 29611 | (864) 467-3132 | kimberly@greenvilleARTS.com greenvilleARTS.com/smartARTS | @smartARTSgvl #smartARTSgvl

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R A E Y E H T F O R E TEACH

a c i l e g An s e d l i h C 3rd Grade Summit Drive Elementary School

Building Relationships with Mentees and Students

Classroom photo was taken before the COVID -19

Summit Drive Elementary third grade teacher Angelica Childes believes one of the most important issues facing new teachers is the need for mentoring during their first years of teaching. She cites class size, the achievement gap, government funding, and educational policy as major concerns that lead to teacher attrition.

“I have listened to the personal experiences of former coworkers who left the field,” Childes explained. “Navigating the new normal of the unique culture and high demands of the teaching career is a task that requires meaningful support, and I believe the teacher attrition rate can drastically decrease through mentorship.”

With that in mind, Childes dedicates her career to being an innovative mentor for

closure in March 2020.

I have listened to the personal experiences of former coworkers who left the field. Navigating the new normal of the unique culture and high demands of the teaching career is a task that requires meaningful support, and I believe the teacher attrition rate can drastically decrease through mentorship.”

new teachers, encouraging them to stay. “Supporting potential or new teachers in the classroom is more than just sharing informational feedback,” said Childes. “Building

– Angelica Childes

trusting relationships with my mentees to proactively help them adjust is my number one goal as a mentor.”

After building strong relationships with her mentees, Childes observes their techniques, guides them in self-reflection, and coaches them by providing feedback. She serves to reinforce and empower the voice of teachers who are standing up for the career and for students.

For two summers, Childes taught English to children in Uganda. This experience taught her the need for strong classroom management and even stronger relationships with her students. She refers to her students as “world changers,” showing them pictures from Uganda during the first week of school. Her goal is to give them a glimpse into the disparity in the world and to teach them gratitude. One year, they collected enough money to provide safe water systems for several families in Uganda. “From year to year my students change, but the value I put on loving, respecting, and challenging the whole child remains consistent,” she said. “I am responsible for inspiring motivation to pursue the actualization of my students’ far-reaching dreams.”

2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR RUNNERS-UP FIRST RUNNER-UP

Caitlin Scott

Band | Woodmont Middle School As an arts teacher, I have a unique opportunity to engage my students with the community through performance. We have visited a school for students with profound special needs, a nearby child development center, and a nursing home. My students’ education transcended the classroom as they were able to educate others about their instruments.”

SECOND RUNNER-UP

Matthew Large

Mathematics | Wade Hampton High School I developed a passion for teaching because of the teachers who reached out to me and made me feel important.

I chose to teach high school, not just because I love higher level math, but because I wanted to work with students capable of articulating their own thoughts and feelings, and because they have the ability to become productive members of society when given the correct tools.”

THIRD RUNNER-UP

Cyndi Waddell Dance | Stone Academy

Every year I collaborate with our music teacher and drama teacher to conceive of and create a school-wide performance. The theme of the show is a life-lesson for our students and every dance I choreograph includes a message specifically for them. I am committed to giving them the skills and knowledge to find their passion, whether it be dance or something else.”

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2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Finalist s

Chris Beyerle

Starr Gillespie

Zoren Rierson

Gateway to Technology Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School

7th Grade Social Studies Tanglewood Middle School

Special Education Travelers Rest High School

Alison Taylor

Tamara Uria

Stephanie White

First Grade Mitchell Road Elementary School

English to Speakers of Other Languages Greenville Middle Academy

Fifth Grade Cherrydale Elementary

2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

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DEMOND CRISS A.J. Whittenberg Elementary

LATOI GIBSON Alexander Elementary

MATTHEW GREGORY Armstrong Elementary

KARY MITCHELL Augusta Circle Elementary

ALEXANDRA JACKSON Beck Academy

JOY HAWKINS Bell’s Crossing Elementary

KATE HUNTEBRINKER Berea Elementary

JOCELYN LONG Berea High

JONATHAN GORDON Berea Middle

ABBY AGUIRRE Bethel Elementary

AUSTIN WEATHERS Blue Ridge High

KELLI BECHTEL Blue Ridge Middle

JILLIAN LEFTWICH Blythe Academy

SARAH JONES Brook Glenn Elementary

LAURA RODIER Brushy Creek Elementary

TAMMI TRAMMELL Bryson Elementary

ALICIA SLOAN Bryson Middle

JESSICA WOLFINGER Buena Vista Elementary

JAMES CAMPBELL Carolina High & Academy

TRICIA JOHNSON Chandler Creek Elementary

ANNA FRIERSON Child Development Centers

JOSIE WILSON Crestview Elementary

WANDA HAYNES Donaldson Career Center

SHAVAUN WEBB Duncan Chapel Elementary

KURT BLOCHER East North St. Elementary Academy

ADAM BURGESS Eastside High

SARAH DUERK Ellen Woodside Elementary

TAVIS LYDIC Enoree Career Center

DANIELLE KNOX Fine Arts Center

CINDY CEGLEDY Fork Shoals School

LILA BALENTINE Fountain Inn Elementary

ASHLEY CREELY Gateway Elementary

CHONDA HARRIS Golden Strip Career Center

AMY RILEY Greenbrier Elementary

DANIELLE BRADLEY Greenville Early College

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2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

MICHAEL BAILEY Greenville High Academy

BIRDIE BARBARE Greer High

CHRISTI LANGDALE Greer Middle

CHARLOTTE TAYLOR Grove Elementary

BRIAN MCGUFFEE Heritage Elementary

MARGIE GUSTAFSON Hillcrest High

MONTI GALLOWAY-SMITH Hillcrest Middle

ROSA CHILDERS Hollis Academy

GARY SCOTT Hughes Middle Academy

ALISON HORTON J. Harley Bonds Career Center

HUNTER BALLENGER J.L. Mann High Academy

CHRISTINA RESPASS Lake Forest Elementary

DONNIS FINET Lakeview Middle

FRANK POWELL League Academy

TARA HAYES Mauldin Elementary

CARRIE ROPP Mauldin High

ERICA AIKEN Mauldin Middle

MORGAN GIBSON Monarch Elementary

MELISSA RENNINGER Monaview Elementary

AMBER BARNETTE Mountain View Elementary

ELLEN GREEN Northwest Middle

DARYL BAUGHMAN Northwood Middle

LIZ TEEPLE Oakview Elementary

KAYLA DIX Paris Elementary

ERIN BREARLEY Pelham Road Elementary

JESSICA PORTER Plain Elementary

HOLLY HILL Ralph Chandler Middle

ALLISON PEASLEY Riverside High

THERESA TEEPLE Riverside Middle

WHITNEY HUMPHRIES Robert E. Cashion Elementary

BRANDY GARRETT Rudolph G. Gordon School

CASI ESQUEDA Sara Collins Elementary

ANGIE BLAKELY Sevier Middle

ABIGAIL HOBBS Simpsonville Elementary

AMY FORRESTER Skyland Elementary

2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

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DEBORAH SEYFFERT Slater-Marietta Elementary

KIM POOLE Washington Center

WESLICA JOHNSON Southside High

MORGAN FREEMAN Welcome Elementary

MOLLYE SPITLER Sterling School

ALISHA RIDDLE Sue Cleveland Elementary

DIERDRA ARNOLD West Greenville School

CARLY HUDSON Taylors Elementary

LESLIE BAXLEY Westcliffe Elementary

ALLISON GOLDEN Thomas E. Kerns Elementary

LISA GREENE Tigerville Elementary

MARJAN SCHOETTELKOTTE Woodland Elementary

JENN ROBINSON Woodmont High

Greenville Federal Credit Union Honors Two

EMERGING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR The Emerging Teachers of the Year Program, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second or third year teacher at the elementary and secondary levels for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award, and $500 for his/her school.

Elementary Level

Secondary Level

Julia McKissick

Mark Crain

School Counselor Lake Forest Elementary School

Firefighting Instructor Enoree Career Center

Lake Forest Elementary school counselor Julia McKissick teaches students mindfulness strategies to deal with difficult situations as part of the school’s social-emotional learning program. She is able to diffuse stressful situations because of her calm demeanor.

In addition to her role as school counselor, Ms. McKissick plans the schoolwide Career Day, coordinates Backpack Buddies, hosts an Angel Tree during the holidays, and helps students in need receive coats in the winter. She is a champion and advocate for all students and has built strong relationships with students, families, and staff.

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2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

Mark Crain has a sacrificial work ethic, putting others before himself. He decided after a 20-plus year career as an interior structural firefighter to step into the classroom. During class breaks, he talks to students as he gets to know them by name. His ability to develop meaningful lessons, his gift for meeting students where they are, and then to have students excel at incredible levels, is outstanding for a second-year teacher. Because of his ability to make connections with students, Mr. Crain turned a oncefloundering program into one of the most sought-after courses at Enoree.

Congratulations to All Winners of the 2020-21 Greenville County Teacher of The Year Award!

We applaud your commitment and dedication to all the students in our community.

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SCHOOL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teachers of the Year. School level Teachers of the Year completed a comprehensive application that was reviewed and scored by an initial Screening Committee.

The judges then scored the top one-third scores and selected the Top Ten finalists.

HOW ARE THE FINALISTS CHOSEN?

2020 Greenville County School Board of Trustees

Each Each Top Ten candidate for Greenville County Teacher of the Year is judged on the completed application, a one-on-one interview (completed by a ZOOM this year) and a virtual classroom observation.

During the spring interview, candidates were judged on their use of effective communication skills, organization of responses to questions, and substance and relevance of response. During the virtual observation, candidates recorded a Google Meet with their class and submitted the video to the judges. The judges scored each observation on the teacher’s knowledge of content, teacher/student interaction, communication skills, instructional delivery, and assessment and feedback.

The members of the Selection Committee are Wade Kolb, Wyche Law Firm and Rotary Club of Greenville; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired GCS administrator; Shiree Turner Fowler, former Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year; Andy Waters, Herff Jones of South Carolina; and Dr. Phillip Wilder, Clemson University.

Bottom row, l to r: Dr. Crystal Ball O’Connor, Lisa Wells, Joy Grayson, Lynda Leventis-Wells, Glenda Morrison-Fair.

Back row, l to r: Roger Meek, Roy Chamlee, Debi Bush, Derek Lewis, Chuck Saylors, Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Pat Sudduth.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS • Bank of Travelers Rest • BMW Manufacturing Company • Chick-fil-A of Greer • Cowart Awards • Eplee + Associates • Expressions Unlimited

RECOGNITION BY LOCAL BUSINESSES The announcement naming Angelica Childes the 202021 Greenville County Teacher of the Year was made September 24 with surprise a surprise visit to Summit Drive Elementary School by Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster. Special awards and prizes were provided for the top Greenville County teacher and other honorees.

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2020-21 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year

• Greenville Federal Credit Union

• Jostens

• Greenville Journal

• Papa John’s Pizza

• Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

• Rotary Club of Greenville

• Herff Jones of South Carolina

• T-Mobile

• Michelin North America Inc.

• Sam’s Club

Lynda Leventis-Wells 2020 Board Chairman W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent

Greenville County Schools | www.greenville.k12.sc.us P. O. Box 2848 | Greenville, SC 29602 | 864-355-3100 The 2020-21 Teachers of the Year insert was written by the Communications Department of Greenville County Schools.

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