Teacher of the Year
What It Takes To Be A Top Teacher
story by KAREN SNYDER photos by PAUL NURNBERG
Great teachers have three loves,” according to writer and author Scott Hayden, “love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two together.” And, so it is for the 34 Beaufort County School District’s (BCSD) 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year award.
Nominated by their peers, teachers are recognized as “leaders in their schools” explains Teacher of the Year Liaison and BCSD Community Services Coordinator Cristin Casper and undergo a rigorous multi-step application and evaluation process. “It’s not a popularity contest,” says Casper, “but a way to acknowledge the best of the best who will then represent their schools as members of the district’s Teacher Forum.”
The Forum consists of an Advisory Council of all BCSD District Teacher of the Year Top 5 finalists from the past three years together with those who received the school-based honor who serve on the Forum for a two year-term. According to the Forum’s mission statement, the committee seeks “to celebrate the profession of teaching; develop leadership among teachers; provide teachers a collaborative voice in educational issues; and to use our professional knowledge and passion to create a positive environment of growth.”
“We want to recognize professionals who spend their hours and days with students,” says Casper. “This includes teachers, specialists, coaches, and ROTC leaders,” for example. “Those who receive the honor are recognized for their commitment and service to their schools and are willing to share their leadership abilities with other teachers.”
The annual application process which begins in the spring is open to teachers of all grade levels and ultimately leads to just one teacher being named as the Beaufort County School District Teacher of Year. This individual then goes on to apply for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award presented by the South Carolina Department of Education in Columbia, SC.
Once nominated at the school level, the award process itself takes commitment on behalf of these educators. Candidates are asked to compete an application including submission of 8 written essays and three letters of recommendation. “The process is about professional accountability,” explains Casper, adding that teacher’s strengths as well as teaching philosphy are among the criteria evaluated.
The blind application process is scored by a selection committee consisting of 5-7 community members representing various service organizations, churches, etc. who bring their “different perspectives about teaching and education,” adds Casper.
From there, five candidates are selected to move on as finalists for the District Teacher of the Year award which involves video recorded observation of a classroom lesson and an in-person, in-depth interview with another committee of 5-7 individuals.
“We’re seeking someone who can represent our school district in the community and at the state level,” says Casper, “so it’s important that the individual be a strong presenter.” In fact, the district provides a workshop for finalists where candidates learn how to enhance their professional image, participate in mock interviews, and are critiqued by workshop leaders who help finalists be as prepared as possible for their Teacher of the Year interview.
“The finalists are also told what to expect from the videographer when he visits their classroom to record a lesson,” she adds. This lesson is viewed during the 45-minute interview and critiqued for student engagement and interest among other factors. The candidate is then asked to share and explain the strengths of the lesson to the interview committee.
“The committee is looking for their confidence level and the above-and-beyondness of the finalists,” says Casper.
Once named, the BCSD District Teacher of the Year is not only an honor for the recipient but one that carries much responsibility to the district, to the profession, and to the community. The Teacher of the Year is someone who “demonstrates positivity” about a profession that frequently faces many challenges in today’s environment.
Among the top concerns of the Teachers of the Year recipients who serve on the Teacher Forum is teacher recruitment and retention. “As a member of the Forum, the Teacher of the Year has a voice in addressing concerns like this and heads up the Advisory Council which addresses, among other issues, how we can get our young people interested in going into teaching.” She explains. The District Teacher of the Year heads the forum and sets the goals and agenda of what the committee will achieve during the school year.
This person represents the “public image” of teaching, says Casper, adding that she hopes the process helps teachers to remember why they are doing what they are doing. “Our Teacher of the Year is someone who shares the good things about the profession and works hard to lift others up. It’s someone who recognizes that teaching is more than a job – it’s a career.”
Who will receive this top honor? “All the teachers who were named as Teachers of the Year will be celebrated at a district breakfast in September where our district-level 2019-20 Teacher of the Year will be announced,” states Casper.
Whomever it is, there’s no doubt all finalists are worthy of the district’s and community’s appreciation and recognition for their role in providing a top-notch education for students across Beaufort County.
Take a closer look at Wendy Lacombe, Beaufort High School, Ari Young, Broad River Elementary and Amy Squires, Mossy Oaks Elementary. They have all received the honor of being named Beaufort County School District’s Teacher of the Year!
