May 1, 2025

South Carolina Association of School Administrators Announces Education Award Winners

News Summary

The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) has announced the recipients of various education awards for the 2024-25 school year. Highlighted in the announcement are the Palmetto’s Finest awards and the South Carolina Teacher of the Year awarded to Corey Bedenbaugh. Additionally, excellence in journalism was recognized with SC Daily Gazette winning five awards, and Dr. Scott Johnson received the Distinguished Teacher of Literacy Award, further showcasing the commitment to education in South Carolina.

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) has announced the winners of various education awards for the 2024-25 school year. This announcement was made on Wednesday afternoon, recognizing schools and educators across the state for their outstanding contributions to student achievement and school culture.

Among the honors presented, the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest awards were highlighted, although specific finalists for the categories of elementary, middle, and high schools were mentioned without further details. The awards have been given since 1978, with SCASA typically honoring two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school each year. This recognition aims to celebrate schools that demonstrate exceptional instructional programs, strong professional learning communities, and positive school culture.

Additionally, the announcement included the recognition of the South Carolina Teacher of the Year for 2026, awarded to Corey Bedenbaugh, an eighth-grade history teacher at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School. Bedenbaugh, who has a history of exemplary teaching in Lexington School District Three, is a graduate of Newberry College and has dedicated six years to the district. He is known for founding a mentorship program titled “Bow Ties with Bedenbaugh” focused on imparting life skills to young men. As part of this honor, Bedenbaugh will receive $25,000 and a new BMW, which are considered part of the award benefits.

Bedenbaugh’s responsibilities as Teacher of the Year will include acting as a roving ambassador for education in South Carolina. His role will encompass mentoring other educators, participating in speaking engagements, and leading the State Teacher Forum. He previously received the district Teacher of the Year award in 2024 and has also been recognized in the past at Pelion Middle School in 2017.

Acknowledgment of Excellence in Journalism

In related education news, the SC Daily Gazette demonstrated excellence in journalism by winning five awards at the South Carolina Press Association’s annual awards ceremony. This included the Ken Baldwin Award for Excellence in Business Journalism, with individual journalists such as Jessica Holdman earning top honors in business reporting categories. The annual contest evaluated journalism based on work published between mid-November 2023 and mid-November 2024.

Literacy Achievement Recognized

The celebration of excellence in education extended beyond teacher awards. Dr. Scott Johnson, the Reading Coach at Piney Woods Elementary School, has been awarded the Distinguished Teacher of Literacy Award from the Columbia Area Literacy Association. With 28 years of experience in education, Johnson actively focuses on teaching grades 1-5 while also contributing as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia College. He holds a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from the University of South Carolina and serves as the Legislative Chair of the Palmetto State Literacy Association, where he tracks and reports on literacy-related legislation.

Conclusion

The announcements by SCASA underscore the ongoing commitment to education excellence in South Carolina. By honoring remarkable schools and educators, the organization plays a crucial role in promoting innovation and student success across the state. This year’s recognition will inspire both educators and students, as they continue to strive for excellence in the realm of education.

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Additional Resources

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