Lexington Two’s top teachers were recognized at a reception in their honor this week.
The 2018-19 Lexington Two Teachers of the Year include an educator who’s been with the district 25 years, and one who arrived just last year. In comments to family, friends, fellow educators and community members gathered at Thursday’s reception, District Teacher of the Year Kim Donovan, a music teacher at Wood Elementary, encouraged her fellow educators to celebrate the “wow” moments.
“Teaching is a matter of perspective, seeing what I call ‘wow moments’ all over our school and district,” Donovan said. “As teachers, we are agents of the ‘wow factor,’ that moment of insight when the student’s eyes light up. We need to create the environment, recognize the moment of connection, and celebrate with students when it happens.”
Other Lexington Two Teachers of the Year are:
Airport High: Steve Sisk
BC Grammar No. 1 (Now Riverbank): Chelsea Billings
Brookland-Cayce High: Sherry Jackson
Busbee Creative Arts Academy: Beth Brooks
Cayce Elementary: Kim Addy
Congaree Elementary: Bethany Bastedo
Congaree/Wood Early Childhood Center: Sandy Best
Fulmer Middle: Rachel Wyka
New Bridge Academy: Suzette Brunson
Northside Middle: Anna Hassell
Pine Ridge Middle: Kari Rikard
Pineview Elementary (Now Riverbank): Melanie Yoder
Saluda River Academy For The Arts: Kayla Jennings
Springdale Elementary: Kandi Grant
Donovan will represent Lexington Two in the SC Teacher of the Year competition. That winner is announced in May.
Lexington Two Teachers of the Year pose during a reception in their honor Thursday. Among them are District Teacher of the Year Kim Donovan (front row, center), along with Steve Sisk (Airport), Sherry Jackson (Brookland-Cayce High), Beth Brooks (Busbee Creative Arts Academy), Kim Addy (Cayce Elementary), Bethany Bastedo (Congaree Elementary), Sandy Best (Congaree/Wood Early Childhood Center), Rachel Wyka (Fulmer Middle), Suzette Brunson (New Bridge Academy), Anna Hassell (Northside Middle), Melanie Yoder (former Pineview Elementary), Kayla Jennings (Saluda River Academy for the Arts) and Kandi Grant (Springdale Elementary). Not pictured: Chelsea Billings (former BC Grammar No. 1) and Kari Rikard (Pine Ridge Middle).
