2014 Teacher Forum Conference Resources

We had a blast learning and growing with our 2014 class of SC District Teachers of the Year! Check out some of our resources from the conference on our webpage at 2014 SC Teacher Forum Conference Resources and enjoy the closing presentation!

Five Finalists for 2015 SC Teacher of the Year

Today, Dr. Zais announced the five outstanding finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year. One of these exceptional educators will be named South Carolina Teacher of the Year during the annual gala on April 23. You can read more about the finalists here!

All five finalists were chosen by a panel of educators and private citizens. The names of the teachers and their schools were concealed from the judges during the selection process. The five finalists will now travel to Columbia for personal interviews with a seven-member state selection committee.These teachers were chosen from nominees representing 81 school districts, South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, Department of Juvenile Justice, Palmetto Unified School District, and the South Carolina Public Charter School District.

This is such an exciting time for each finalist and for their students, families, and colleagues! I am proud of each of our District Teachers of the Year in the class of 2014! The five finalists are representatives of the many dedicated educators who put their heart and soul into the work that they do each day! It is a source of hope to know that each of our District Teachers of the Year are amazing representatives for students and educators in SC. Congratulations to each of the five finalists and all of South Carolina's District Teachers of the Year! You all make us proud!

"While I Teach... I AM Hope!"

Last week I was out running a few last minute errands to get ready for our teacher leader conference and a quote caught my eye at the checkout counter. 

“Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to walk boldly through them.”

                         ― Orison Swett Marden

2014 District Teachers of the Year

It was quite appropriate for the obstacles we faced in having the event. Winter Storm Pax put all plans on hold as we had to postpone the conference. Fortunately, we were able to reschedule the event. As we plan each year for our teacher leaders, the goal is to not simply create an event, but to create experiences that changes people's lives. Darleen Sutton, our 2014 SC Teacher of the Year, and our team did an amazing job of persevering through all of the obstacles to make the conference a huge success!

The obstacles melted away in Myrtle Beach! On opening night, the Aynor Blue Pan Jam Band from Aynor Elementary kicked off our event and the 2013 National Teacher of the Year, Jeff Charbonneau, inspired us all with an uplifting message! The conference provided opportunities for us to grow as teacher leaders, network, and be rejuvenated. Our local forms are doing amazing work and are making a difference in the lives of students and communities! I love South Carolina's state motto, "While I breathe, I hope!" Educators are a source of hope for a brighter future! Our theme for the week, "While I teach, I AM hope!" There are still worlds to change, lives to touch, powerful work to be done!  I am inspired by each of our South Carolina District Teachers of the Year! At the event, they raised over $2,700 dollars for the Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship through our silent auction! We also brought in over 2,500 books for the Leadership SC project Readers to Leaders! This project will provide books for children in need of books within their homes across SC! I am hopeful about all that will happen as a result of this life changing experience for the SC Teacher Forum!

Over 2,500 books will be in the hands of SC students!