Page 11 - August 2019

Teacher of the Year: What it Takes to be a Top Teacher 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
story by KAREN SNYDER announced," states Casper.
photo by PAUL NURNBERG 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!

WENDY LACOMBE

workshop for finalists where candidates frequently faces many challenges in today's
learn how to enhance their professional environment.
image, participate in mock interviews, and Among the top concerns of the Teachers
are critiqued by workshop leaders who help of the Year recipients who serve on the
finalists be as prepared as possible for their Teacher Forum is teacher recruitment and
Teacher of the Year interview. retention. "As a member of the Forum,
"The finalists are also told what to expect the Teacher of the Year has a voice in
from the videographer when he visits their addressing concerns like this and heads
classroom to record a lesson," she adds. up the Advisory Council which addresses,
This lesson is viewed during the 45-minute among other issues, how we can get our ARI YOUNG
interview and critiqued for student young people interested in going into
engagement and interest among other teaching." She explains. The District Teacher
factors. The candidate is then asked to share of the Year heads the forum and sets the
and explain the strengths of the lesson to the goals and agenda of what the committee
interview committee. will achieve during the school year.
"The committee is looking for their This person represents the "public image"
confidence level and the above-and- of teaching, says Casper, adding that
beyondness of the finalists," says Casper. she hopes the process helps teachers to
Once named, the BCSD District remember why they are doing what they are
Teacher of the Year is not only an honor doing. "Our Teacher of the Year is someone
for the recipient but one that carries much who shares the good things about the
responsibility to the district, to the profession, profession and works hard to lift others up.
and to the community. The Teacher of It's someone who recognizes that teaching is
the Year is someone who "demonstrates more than a job – it's a career."
positivity" about a profession that Who will receive this top honor? "All AMY SQUIRES
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