CONGRATULATIONS
Third Grade Teacher Brushy Creek Elementary
1 st RUNNER-UP
Spanish Teacher - Riverside High Math Teacher - Wade Hampton High 3 rd
Bryan Raeckelboom Karla Cannon Frances McNeely
Chelsey Troutman
Chelsey Troutman
Congratulations to...
2024-25 GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR Chelsey ChelseyTroutman Troutman
Third Grade Teacher Brushy Creek Elementary
Chelsey Troutman, the 2024-25 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, has a passion for education that shines through in her dedication to her students. Inspired by her own experiences and the influential figures in her life, Chelsey creates an engaging and supportive learning environment for her students at every opportunity. Today, as a third-grade teacher at Brushy Creek Elementary School, she channels this inspiration to ensure her students feel respected and cared for.
Her teaching philosophy centers on building strong relationships with her students, understanding their unique stories, and celebrating their strengths. Chelsey believes that every student can succeed and
I believe that collaboration is the torch that can light the way to accomplishing meaningful change in education.”
— Chelsey Troutman
works diligently to help them connect with their abilities and support their needs. “As an elementary school teacher, it is my mission to set students up with a solid foundation through character development, community building, and cultivating a love of learning,” she shares. “These three pillars of my teaching philosophy help students to feel safe, grow as members of society, and preserve their natural curiosity.” Chelsey’s ultimate goal as a teacher is to instill a sense of curiosity and a love of learning in her students, ensuring they become lifelong learners who are prepared for the challenges of the future. One way she strives to do this is by providing valuable learning opportunities and a window into future careers. “I incorporate the skills, knowledge and characteristics of the Graduation Plus initiative within my classroom through the connections between academic and workforce skills,” she says. “First and foremost, I place a high level of importance on the soft skills employers seek that are also important interpersonal skills for children to hone. In addition to developing perseverance and communication skills, students are given many opportunities to practice time management and work in a team effectively.”
Her dedication to education extends beyond her classroom. She has mentored first-year and student teachers, helping them build strong relationships with their students and navigate challenges as they arise. She believes in the power of collaboration and continuously learns from her peers, fostering a culture of mutual support and growth.
Teacher of the Year 2024-25 Runners-Up
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Karla Cannon
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bryan Raeckelboom
Building Construction Instructor – Golden Strip Career Center
As a teacher, I must extend my efforts to bring the classroom to students, emphasizing their strengths and helping them realize that their perspective matters.”
Spanish Teacher - Riverside High
I have learned through experience that students will work hard because they respect you and care about their relationship with you.”
THIRD RUNNER-UP
Frances McNeely
Math Teacher - Wade Hampton High
I expect excellence from all students in my classroom because students will rise to the expectations set by the teacher.”
Teacher of the Year 2024-25 Finalists
Public Education Partners Honors Two
FIRST CLASS TEACHERS
The First Class Teachers Award, sponsored by Public Education Partners, recognizes two first-year teachers, one at the elementary and one at the secondary level, for their outstanding performance. Each winner receives $250 and a personalized crystal award.
Greenville Federal Credit Union Honors Two
EMERGING TEACHERS
The Emerging Teachers of the Year, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second- or thirdyear teacher at the elementary and secondary levels for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award and $500 for his/her school.
Lisa Brundridge
Special Education Teacher at Northwest Middle
Brian Maddux
Special Education Teacher at Woodmont High
Katie Murphy Art Teacher at East North Street Academy
Staci Purvis
Art Teacher at Berea Elementary
Anna Nieto
Multilingual Learner Program Teacher at Sevier Middle
Jessica Yarbro
Special Education Teacher at Washington Center
Teachers Teachers OF
DAWN WILSON
A.J. Whittenberg Elementary
HALEY BECK Alexander Elementary
CAROLINE SWEETING Armstrong Elementary ELLIE WHITE Augusta Circle Elementary
KATHERINE SUTTON Beck International Academy
KRISTINE FALLIS Bell’s Crossing Elementary FRED BOSTIC Berea High
CHRISTINA MARTIN Berea Middle ELLEN GORDON Bethel Elementary
TRAVIS BRUCE HENSON Blue Ridge High
TARA SARGENT Blue Ridge Middle
LOURDES CRAGNOLINI Blythe Academy
JILL KNIGHT Brook Glenn Elementary
ASHLEY ROSE RANDOLPH Bryson Elementary/ Golden Strip CDC
MEENU SHARMA Bryson Middle KRISTEN WYATT Buena Vista Elementary
DE’AREYES BRYANT Carolina High and Academy
JENNY DEHLINGER Chandler Creek Elementary
ANNA DAULTON Cherrydale Elementary
COURTNEY DAY Crestview Elementary
ETHAN COX CTE Innovation Center
BRYAN G. RIEBE Donaldson Career Center
KEN MORRILL, JR. Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle
AMANDA TUCCI Child Development Centers
TAMARA WEBB Duncan Chapel Elementary
JEANENE SMITH Eastside High
KENISHA THOMPSON Ellen Woodside Elementary/ Riley CDC
TAVIS LYDIC Enoree Career Center
KACIE ISBELL Fork Shoals School LESLIE BAXLEY Fountain Inn Elementary
ROB SHEFFIELD Fountain Inn High TARA GUY Gateway Elementary
SONJA AIRLINE GCS Virtual Program
ANNA DUBBERLY Greenbrier Elementary
KAREN HARRIS Greenville Early College
THE YEAR!
SAMANTHA SLOVER Greenville Middle Academy KATHLEEN JOHNSON Greenville Sr. High Academy KELLEN ROLLINS Greer High
TRACI FARRINGTON Greer Middle
MARY GRACE MACK Grove Elementary
GINA SCOTT Heritage Elementary
AMANDA WATTS Hillcrest High
JENNIFER RICHEY Hillcrest Middle KRISTIN RUTLEDGE Hollis Academy
LAUREN TENHOLDER Hughes Academy
RICK SCHWARTZ J. Harley Bonds Career Center
CAROLYNN LENDERMAN J. L. Mann High Academy
LIZ MCLENDON Lake Forest Elementary
BRIANNA LEWIS Lakeview Middle
RUTH TERKELSEN League Academy
STEPHANIE PAYNE Mauldin Elementary
KATIE ADAMS WILLIAMS Mauldin High
CHERIE JOHNSON Mauldin Middle
NINA SPATARO Mitchell Road Elementary
CASEY STEWART Monarch Elementary
JULIE MERCADO Monaview Elementary
MCKENZIE MORGAN SMITH Mountain View Elementary
KRISTI HARRIS Northwood Middle
VICKI BRAMER Oakview Elementary
LORRIE DODSON Paris Elementary
SARAH MEEKINS Pelham Road Elementary KAITLYN STEVENSON Plain Elementary ANGELICA GREEN Ralph Chandler Middle
SAMANTHA LITCHER Riverside Middle ELIZABETH DODD Robert E. Cashion Elementary
LAURA SHAW Rudolph Gordon School
ERIN HEDGES Sara Collins Elementary
CARRIE MCALISTER Simpsonville Elementary
KIM SULLIVAN Skyland Elementary
CHRISTINA MOBLEY Slater-Marietta Elementary
W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent
GCS Board of Trustees
OLIVIA BAKER Southside High
BETH BEARD Sterling School Charles Townes Center
JILL ROHRER Stone Academy
DALLIS KENNEDY Sue Cleveland Elementary
ALEXIS KITCHEN Summit Drive Elementary
JACQUELINE MARTIN Tanglewood Middle School
BETSY CROWE Taylors Elementary
SAMUEL HUNTER The Fine Arts Center
TYHESHA JUDGE-FOGLE Thomas E. Kerns Elementary
KAELIN CORLEY Tigerville Elementary
KATIE MELLER Travelers Rest High
KAMMIE FRADY Welcome Elementary BRIAN DAVIS West Greenville School
BRENDA NELSON Westcliffe Elementary
MADELYN FORRESTER Woodland Elementary LILLIAN JOHNSON Woodmont Middle
CAROLYN STYLES Area 17, Chair
ANGIE MOSLEY Area 21, Vice-Chair
ANN MARIE MIDDLETON Area 18, Secretary
AMANDA BRETT Area 26
DEBI BUSH Area 19
JEFF COCHRAN Area 28 SARAH DULIN Area 27
MICHELLE GOODWIN-CALWILE Area 25
PRESSLEY
CHARLES J. SAYLORS Area 20
