News Summary
Lexington County School District One has selected one educator from each of its 32 schools to participate in the Teacher of the Year selection process. These exceptional teachers, recognized for their dedication and inspiration, will engage in a competitive evaluation consisting of written applications and classroom observations. A celebration event to honor these educators is scheduled to take place at the Lexington One Performing Arts Center, highlighting their impactful contributions to students and the broader community.
Lexington, South Carolina – Lexington County School District One has announced the selection of one certified educator from each of its 32 schools to participate in the prestigious 2025–26 Teacher of the Year selection process. This initiative recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate the ability to inspire students and maintain a commitment to professional development.
The selected educators are:
- Shannon Boatwright (Beechwood Middle School)
- Fannie Boeman (Carolina Springs Elementary)
- Saadia Cardwell (Carolina Springs Middle)
- Leianne Glymph (Centerville Elementary)
- Hope Hartley (Deerfield Elementary)
- Parker Areheart (Forts Pond Elementary)
- Kody Taylor (Gilbert Elementary)
- Cielo Holt (Gilbert High)
- Celine Miller (Gilbert Middle)
- Ashley Yelman (Lake Murray Elementary)
- Joanna Connell (Lakeside Middle)
- Kerri Santulli (Lexington Elementary)
- Jessica Bonnette (Lexington High)
- Amy Cooper (Lexington Technology Center)
- Jessica Thrift (Meadow Glen Elementary)
- Susan Myrick (Meadow Glen Middle)
- Adriana Garcia (Midway Elementary)
- Adele Yanssens (New Providence Elementary)
- Lindsay Resnick (Oak Grove Elementary)
- Michelle Vestal (Pelion Elementary)
- Justin Tipton (Pelion High)
- Sarah Burke (Pelion Middle)
- Mary Elizabeth Copeland (Pleasant Hill Elementary)
- Merrissa Ritch (Pleasant Hill Middle)
- Donee Taylor (Red Bank Elementary)
- Walt Overbay (River Bluff High)
- Sarah Simms (Rocky Creek Elementary)
- Ana Carmen Cimpian (Saxe Gotha Elementary)
- Blair King (South Lake Elementary)
- Emily Cava (White Knoll Elementary)
- Kayla Finn (White Knoll High)
- Lauren Blakely (White Knoll Middle)
These educators were chosen for their excellence in teaching and their dedication to professional growth, which help them implement current educational practices effectively. In the coming months, they will engage in a competitive selection process to vie for the title of District Teacher of the Year.
The selection process consists of two rounds of judging. The initial round requires participants to submit a written application that will be evaluated by four different judging teams. Following this, the second round involves classroom observations conducted by a separate team of judges, who will assess teaching practices in real-time.
A celebration to honor all school-level Teachers of the Year is scheduled for March 26, 2026. This recognition event will take place at the Lexington One Performing Arts Center, located at Lexington High School. The event aims to acknowledge and showcase the remarkable contributions these educators make to their students and the community.
The Teacher of the Year initiative not only highlights the remarkable work of individual teachers but also promotes collaboration and the sharing of effective teaching strategies among educators. Through this process, selected teachers will also have the opportunity to conduct seminars and support their colleagues, fostering a strong community of learning professionals dedicated to improving educational outcomes.
As the school district prepares for the upcoming selection process, the anticipation among educators and the community builds, reflecting the importance of recognizing and celebrating those who shape the minds of future generations.
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Additional Resources
- SW Lexledger: Lexington District One Releases the 32 Nominees for the District’s 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year
- SC Daily Gazette: Lexington County Teacher Wins SC Teacher of the Year Award
- WISTV: Corey Bedenbaugh, Lexington School District 3 Wins SC Teacher of the Year
- Post and Courier: SC Teacher of the Year – Lexington
- Bimmer Life: 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Will Drive BMW X5
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
