First Runner-up Sherryan YarbroughKindergarten • Blythe Academy of Languages

Look for the 2012-13 School Calendar in Connectedor Call INFOLine at 355-3100

to Request a Copy. You May Also Visit Our Website at www.greenville.k12.sc.us.

Second Runner-up Rex Smith • ScienceLeague Academy of Communication Arts

Third Runner-up Abigail CookChemistry • Wade Hampton High School2012-13 Teacher of the Year Will Ragland Drama • Woodmont High School

Greenville Federal Credit union Honors Two

EmergingTeachers of the Year

“The impact we have cannot be measured. We pass on the gifts we have received, influence the lives of thousands of young people, and in doing so, make our own eternal mark on the progress of humanity.”

– Will Ragland

Straight out of Davidson College with a degree in Studio Art, Will Ragland began performing in community theatre productions. His outstanding performance as Fagin in the production of Oliver! caught the eye of a school district employee, who encouraged him to apply for a related arts teach-ing position at an elementary school. “I became a teacher, almost by accident, and the job turned out to be a perfect fit,” said Will.

Since that time, this newly-named Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year has made great contributions to his school, community, and most importantly, to the drama students he teaches every day at Woodmont High School.

Ragland says his role as a teacher takes many forms, including coach, counselor, motivational speaker, therapist, entertainer, and second father. “It is a role that is both scripted and improvised, depending on the response of the audience, and it’s ever-developing,” he explained. “We have our flops and our rave reviews, but the goal is always to im-prove and have a better performance tomorrow.”

One of Will’s most rewarding experiences was working with a student who had high-functioning autism, which caused him great pain growing up and made it difficult for him to connect with his peers socially. “I heard that he had some experience in plays in middle school and encouraged him to audi-tion for one of our productions. That lit the spark for a transformation in him that was hard to believe,” said Will.

By his senior year, this student had been featured in every production and had become a self-confident, articulate leader who feared no theatrical chal-lenge. He is now a student at Winthrop University

and plans to major in theatre education and become a teacher. “He is the perfect example of the rewards I find in teaching,” Will said.

Ragland describes theatre as powerful, magical, col-laborative, and fun. He uses these attributes to encour-age students to stay in school and graduate. “When I see a student walk across the stage at graduation and I know that I have taken a part in making that a reality, I feel a great sense of fulfillment. When I see one of my students discover a talent they never knew they had or find something that they love so much that they pursue it in college, it’s one of the best feelings in the world,” he explained.

As Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, Will’s message is simple: Donate your time, talent, and money. He believes public schools need the full support of all members of the community, and schools need the physical presence of their communities. “I would encourage businesses and communities to get involved in their neighborhood schools and take a truly active part in public education,” said Will.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Will earned a master’s degree this year in Theatre Production from Central Washington University. He has had many opportunities to showcase his own talent with performances at local community theatres. He has played lead roles including Buddy Holly, Atticus Finch, Dr. Frank-n-Furter, Willy Wonka, Captain Hook, Sweeney Todd, and Scrooge. He was named a 2010 Greenville First’s Best and Brightest 35 and Under, and is active in the South Carolina Theatre Association. His students have earned state and regional awards for their performances for the past three years.

Elementary Level

Angie LewisThird Grade • Skyland Elementary School

While working as a kindergarten assis-tant, Angie Lewis felt the calling to return to school to earn a teaching degree. She began her teaching career as a second grade teacher, but when the school needed another third grade teacher last year, she made the transition seamlessly and strengthened both teams in the process. Mrs. Lewis makes a difference in the lives of students by gladly and consistently going the extra mile. She extends her instruction to the home by educating parents in the use of Accelerated Reader and Compass Odyssey. She meets with students and parents during student-led conferences to set individualized goals. Mrs. Lewis participates in the SmART Arts In-tegration program, which allows her to bring guest artists into the classroom.

Secondary Level

Adrienne JohnstonSpanish • Riverside Middle School

Described as a “natural teacher,” Adrienne Johnston is professional beyond her young years. Her enthusiasm for teaching Spanish creates a fun, supportive, and inter-esting learning environment for her students. By using cultural items from her studies in Spain, she creates an authentic environment where subject matter becomes more relevant and helps bring the language to life. In fact, the requests to take Spanish have increased significantly since she began teaching.

Ms. Johnston serves as the Student Council Advisor, organizing the school dances and spirit weeks while supervising students, managing parent volunteers, hanging decora-tions, selling tickets, and creating excitement around the school. She also volunteers as a translator for IEPs and parent conferences.

Will RaglandDrama • Woodmont High School

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A Perfect Fit

Congratulations Will Ragland,2012-13 Teacher of the Year!

First Runner-UpSherryan YarbroughKindergartenBlythe Academy of Languages

Second Runner-UpRex SmithScienceLeague Academy of Communication Arts

Third Runner-UpAbigail CookChemistryWade Hampton High School

“When I cross paths with former students, the conversation rarely reflects on the chemistry content covered in class. These con-versations are usually geared toward what my former students are doing and how I influenced their lives. These success stories are great reminders that my responsibility goes beyond the content and filters into every facet of their lives. Helping people become successful members of society is a reward that lasts much longer than any paycheck.” -Abigail Cook

“I empower my students with a sense of responsibility to self and community. I model responsibility by being an active, contributing, and respectful member of our society. I connect real-life issues and problems into their learning. I realize that the way my words and actions are internalized by my students is powerful. I have the ability to hinder or enhance the learning process. It is my knowledge and use of this power that has given me the ability to become an outstanding teacher.” - Rex Smith

“My role is not only to offer the best educational opportunities I can in the classroom, but also to offer families the skills and confidence to promote positive learning experiences in the home. Certainly there is a great need for young children and their families to discover, to be captivated by, and to experience success in the exciting world of learning. I have no doubt that this need is where I meet my greatest joy.”

- Sherryan Yarbrough

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Kindergarten • Fork Shoals SchoolKindergarten • Fork Shoals School

Matt CritellFifth Grade • Stone Academy of Communication ArtsFifth Grade • Stone Academy of Communication Arts

Jillian Grimsley

Special Education • West Greenville SchoolSpecial Education • West Greenville School

Jessica JacksonArt • Duncan Chapel Elementary SchoolArt • Duncan Chapel Elementary School

Brian Morgan

Fifth Grade • Sterling SchoolFifth Grade • Sterling School

Sara NewellEighth Grade Spanish • Northwood Middle SchoolEighth Grade Spanish • Northwood Middle School

Jennifer Valenti

4

Amanda LeBlancMedia Specialist

A.J. Whittenberg Elem.

Tamara MillerFifth Grade Math

Alexander Elementary

Lisa PayneThird Grade

Armstrong Elementary

Meg PlexicoSecond Grade

Augusta Circle Elementary

Christine HughesSocial Studies

Beck Middle Academy

Chris PurkersonSecond Grade

Bell’s Crossing Elementary

Alisha LooperBiology

Berea High

Rachel RondonMath

Berea Middle

Jennifer MurphyFourth Grade

Bethel Elementary

Tracy JacksonSpecial EducationBlue Ridge High

Cyndi BrownSocial Studies

Blue Ridge Middle

La-Shella Belcher-ShellCounselor

Brook Glenn Elementary

Joy MitchellSpecial Education

Brushy Creek Elementary

Ann HugginsSecond Grade

Bryson Elementary

Alicia SloanSixth Grade

Bryson Middle

Katie LuttrellFirst Grade

Buena Vista Elementary

Maureen McCuenGlobal Studies/US HistoryCarolina High & Academy

Colleen HinsonFifth Grade

Chandler Creek Elementary

Ashleigh SullivanFirst Grade

Cherrydale Elementary

Tracy QuinnThird Grade

Crestview Elementary

Helen RegisterCareer Development

Donaldson Career Center

Brenda NorrisEnglish/Language Arts

Donaldson MSAP

Dr. Valerie GambleFifth Grade Math

East North Street Academy

Mary Kay RoseCounselor

Eastside High

Rachael BergsteinSecond Grade

Ellen Woodside Elementary

Katie WardWebpage Design

Enoree Career Center

Linda MichaelsPreschool Special Ed.

Child Development Centers

Dr. Jon GrierMusicTheory

Fine Arts Center

LuAnn BartellSecond Grade

Fountain Inn Elementary

Joanne HogeboomArt

Gateway Elementary

Lee Anne FergusonSports Medicine

Golden Strip Career Center

Mollye CrowellArt

Greenbrier Elementary

Kathleen CareyMedia Specialist

Greenville Middle Academy

Crystal DiversSocial Studies

Greenville Sr. High Acad. 5

2012-13 Teachers of the Year Greenville County Schools

Paula PrinceFirst Grade

Berea Elementary

2012-13 Teachers of the Year Greenville County Schools

Michael ParkerArt

Greer High

Gaelyn JenkinsMedia Specialist

Greer Middle

Patti BarkerFourth Grade

Grove Elementary

Brittany KingsburyFourth Grade

Heritage Elementary

Tim CoyleNutrition

Hillcrest High

Sharon WebbMath & Reading Assistance

Hillcrest Middle

DeDe HeardHealth Science

J. Harley Bonds Career Ctr.

Cathy Duncan PedenEnglish

J.L. Mann High Academy

Margaret BennettSecond Grade

Lake Forest Elementary

Edward AndersonTitle I

Lakeview Middle

Nancy MankinMedia Specialist

Mauldin Elementary

Evelyn AshmoreAlgebra

Mauldin High

Gwen HyerCounselor

Mauldin Middle

Amy LewisFourth Grade

Monarch Elementary

Dr. Janet BrooksSpecial Education

Mitchell Road Elementary

Melissa Short CampbellFourth Grade

Monaview Elementary

Angel McCrayKindergarten

Mountain View Elementary

Kathi ChristyComputer Technology

Northwest Middle

Kelly CurrySecond Grade

Oakview Elementary

Malinda EdmonstonMedia Specialist

Pelham Road Elementary

Brian LuzadderFifth Grade

Plain Elementary

Shannon GoffScience

Ralph Chandler Middle

Linda KirklandEnglish

Riverside High

Maisie HansenLanguage Arts

Riverside Middle

Colleen FinleyFirst Grade

Robert E. Cashion Elem.

Catherine OsborneKindergarten

Rudolph G. Gordon Elem.

Jeremy SaucemanFifth Grade

Sara Collins Elementary

Ginger BarbareScience

Sevier Middle

Sharon ClyborneFirst Grade

Simpsonville Elementary

Mark KleinThird Grade

Skyland Elementary

Glenn RobertsFifth Grade

Slater-Marietta Elementary

Raina FarrellEnglish

Southside High Academy

Beth JenningsFirst Grade

Sue Cleveland Elementary

Scott SheaPhysical Education

Summit Drive Elementary

6

Jeffrey B. McCoyTechnology

Hughes Middle Academy

2012-13 Teachers of the YearSchool Teachers of the YearThe process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall

when schools and centers selected their individual Teachers of the Year. Applications were first reviewed by a Screen-ing Committee. Five judges then selected the Top Ten finalists and the District Teacher of the Year.

How Are the Finalists Chosen? Each Top Ten candidate for Greenville County

Teacher of the Year is judged on nine areas including those on his or her application form, a classroom visit, and an oral review.

In the classroom, judges observe the teacher’s com-mand of subject matter, classroom environment, communi-cation skills, enthusiasm, creativity, and classroom manage-ment skills. During the interview, candidates are judged on his or her use of effective communication skills, orga-nization of response, knowledge and command of subject matter, and substance and relevance of response.

2012-13 judges were: 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.

301 E. Camperdown Way • P.O. Box 2848 • Greenville, SC 29602INFOLine 864-355-3100 • www. greenville.k12.sc.us

The School District of Greenville County does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, handicap, religion, or national origin in its dealings with employees, students, the general public, applicants for employment, educational programs, activities, or access to its facilities. For concerns, call the General Counsel at 355-8866.

Roger D. Meek2012 Board Chairman

W. Burke RoysterSuperintendent

Greenville County Schools Board of TrusteesSeated, left to right: Glenda Morrison-Fair, Lisa Wells, Tommie Reece, Lynda Leventis-Wells, Megan Hickerson. Standing, left to right: Danna Rohleder, Dr. Crystal Ball O’Connor, Pat Sudduth, Roger Meek, Chuck Saylors, Debi Bush, Leola Robinson-Simpson.

The 2012-13 Teachers of the Year insert was produced by the Communications Department of Greenville County Schools.

Emerging Teacher of the Year • GreenvilleFederalCreditUnion-

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Teachers of the Year Recognized by Local Businesses

7

Avis CantySpecial Education

Tanglewood Middle

Jennifer FarrSecond Grade

Taylors Elementary

Jennifer BartlettSpeech Therapy

Tigerville Elementary

Suzanne LafayeSpecial Education

Travelers Rest High

Sarah AshworthSpecial EducationWashington Center

Sara AwtreyFourth Grade

Welcome Elementary

Maxie PreshiaSocial Studies

West Greenville MSAP

Libby RiddleSpecial Education

Westcliffe Elementary

The announcement naming Will Ragland the 2012-2013 Greenville County Teacher of the Year was made August 17 during a Teacher of the Year breakfast. Special awards and prizes were provided for the top Greenville County teacher and other honorees.

Alicia KellerCounselor

Thomas E. Kerns Elem.

Corley LollisFirst Grade RTI

Woodland Elementary

Mary Alice PinkleyMedia Specialist

Woodmont Middle

Congratulations to Greenville’s Outstanding Teachers

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