True stars of public education in Aiken County gathered at Aiken High School Thursday evening for Aiken County Public Schools’ annual “Stars of Public Education” awards banquet hosted in partnership with Public Education Partners (PEP).
Top honors were awarded to the school district’s new Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and GEM of the Year. The Giving Even More award is presented to the District’s top classified employee.
“Tonight’s deserving honorees represent the very best among Aiken County Public Schools educators and support staff members and we hold each one of these dedicated professionals in the highest possible regard,” stated Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford. “They are a consistent source of encouragement and inspiration for us all.”
Aiken County Public School District winners named during the banquet included the following individuals:
2018-19 TEACHER OF THE YEAR: EMILEE MEEK (Gloverville Elementary/Special Education)
“Tonight just means the world to me, but I could not have done it without the support of so many people because you cannot meet the needs of your students without the support of your team,” Meek stated. “It’s not just about a single individual, it takes a village, but I am very excited. When Dr. Alford called my name, I was just in disbelief and I felt so unworthy because there are so many wonderful, exemplary teachers in Aiken County. I am just honored.”
2018-19 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR: LISA FALLAW (East Aiken School of the Arts/Principal)
“I am very honored and humbled because we have some outstanding administrators here in Aiken County and my fellow Honor Court members, John Murphy of North Augusta High School and Phyllis Gamble of North Augusta Middle School are two of the best and just being in the same group with them is an honor,” Fallaw commented. “This is merely a reflection of the hard work of my staff at East Aiken School of the Arts. They make my job so much fun. It’s like going to Disneyland every single day.”
2018-19 GEM OF THE YEAR: LEON POUGH (Wagener-Salley High/Custodian)
“I was very shocked, it caught me off guard,” Pough stated. “I don’t talk much and I didn’t know what to say or do. I was stunned. The key word for me is pride. If I take pride in what I do every day that may encourage others to take pride in what they do as well. If I keep doing what I can do to get better, it might help someone else to want to do better too. I love everyone at Wagener-Salley High School. That’s my family.”
Presenting sponsors for the banquet included Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Bob Richards Automotive. Gold sponsors included Security Federal Bank, Bridgestone, SRP Federal Credit Union and Rhodes Graduation Services. Silver Sponsors included Savannah River Remediation, H.G. Reynolds, Co., Aiken Electric Cooperative and Carolina Awards.
Supporting sponsors included Aiken Technical College, the Economic Development Partnership, Floyd & Green Jewelers, Hunt Insurance and Collette Ball of State Farm Insurance.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2018 PR STARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION