Ten finalists have been selected in the 2012-13 Greenville County Teacher of the Year program.
They are, in alphabetical order: Abigail Cook, Chemistry, Wade Hampton High; Matt Critell, Kindergarten, Fork Shoals School; Jillian Grimsley, Fifth Grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts; Jessica Jackson, Special Education, West Greenville School; Brian Morgan, Art, Duncan Chapel Elementary; Sara Newell, Fifth Grade, Sterling School; Will Ragland, Drama, Woodmont High; Rex Smith, Sixth Grade Science, League Academy of Communication Arts; Jennifer Valenti, Eighth Grade Spanish, Northwood Middle; and Sherryan Yarbrough, Kindergarten, Blythe Academy of Languages.
The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year. These teachers submitted applications which addressed their educational history and professional development, a professional biography, community involvement, philosophy of teaching, education issues and trends, the teaching profession, and a personal message to educators and the general public.
Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the ten finalists. The announcement naming Greenville County’s 2012-13 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.
The members of the Selection Committee are Dr. Temi Bidjerano, Furman University; Mr. Herb Johnson, Michelin North America; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; Mrs. Fanya Paouris, former Greenville and South Carolina Teacher of the Year; and Mr. Tobin Wolverton, The Rotary Club of Greenville.
Profile of Top Ten Teachers
Abigail Cook, Chemistry, Wade Hampton High
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 6
Years in Present School - 6
Education – Bachelor’s - Clemson University; Master’s - Clemson University
Matt Critell, Kindergarten, Fork Shoals School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 4 ½
Years in Present School - 3
Education – Bachelor’s – Youngstown State University
Jillian Grimsley, Fifth Grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 4
Years in Present School - 4
Education – Bachelor’s – Furman University; Master’s – Converse College
Jessica Jackson, Special Education, West Greenville School
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 14
Years in Present School - 6
Education – Bachelor’s – Clemson University
Brian Morgan, Art, Duncan Chapel Elementary
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 9
Years in Present School - 6
Education – Bachelor’s – Berea College; Master’s – Furman University
Sara Newell, Fifth Grade, Sterling School
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 13
Years in Present School - 6
Education –Bachelor’s – University of South Carolina @ Spartanburg; Master’s – Converse College
Will Ragland, Drama, Woodmont High
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 9
Years in Present School - 4
Education – Bachelor’s – Davidson College
Rex Smith, Sixth Grade Science, League Academy of Communication Arts
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 25
Years in Present School - 3
Education – Bachelor’s – Western Carolina University
Jennifer Valenti, Eighth Grade Spanish, Northwood Middle
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 15
Years in Present School - 10
Education – Bachelor’s – Columbia College; Master’s – Columbia College
Sherryan Yarbrough, Kindergarten, Blythe Academy of Languages
Total Years of Teaching Experience - 6
Years in Present School - 4
Education – Bachelor’s – Lenoir-Rhyne College; Master’s – Southeastern Theological Seminary
