The Aiken County Public School District is pleased to announce Aiken County’s first Lead Teacher cohort, a group of nearly seventy outstanding educators who will serve their schools as shining examples of the teaching profession for their colleagues and communities.

Lead Teachers were selected through the submission of a detailed application, classroom observations, performance data, and a referral from their administrator.

As school district representatives, Lead Teachers will model effective communication skills, they will be trained as certified mentors, be an encouragement and a source of positive energy for other educators while also providing professional development for their colleagues and presenting research and information at District and state conferences.

“We are so very excited to have our new Aiken County lead teachers provide such great representation across all grade levels and subject areas,” commented Aiken County Public School District Executive Director for Elementary Schools, Laurie Reese, who led the effort to identify the first Lead Teachers in Aiken County. “These teachers will be an invaluable resource to Aiken County Public Schools, not only as mentors and models of quality instruction for our teachers, but as public education advocates in our communities as well. We look forward to the sharing of their expertise and unique skills throughout the school district.”

South Carolina School Boards Association President and Area 3 school board representative Wesley Hightower says today’s formal announcement of the Lead Teachers heralds a new day in recognizing the talents and achievements of educators in Aiken County and across South Carolina. Teacher recognition is a key platform of his term as SCSBA President.

“This is truly a wonderful and momentous occasion as we continue to map out new and exciting ways to recognize our top teachers for all they do in educating and encouraging our students,” Hightower commented. “These teachers will provide additional school-level mentoring for the teachers in their buildings and help bring other classroom teachers from good to great.”

“This new designation reflects value in recognizing teacher quality, and will encourage a newfound interest in the profession for current high school students, college students and other professionals and prospective teachers who may be considering a change in careers,” he added.

Lead Teachers will receive specialized name badges, Lead Teacher display magnets, and a new Lead Teacher logo to post as an email signature or profile photo. Additionally, they will have the ability to earn certification renewal credits for training fellow teachers and attending conferences, they will receive priority consideration for summer leadership opportunities, and have the opportunity to be recognized in a Lead Teacher Spotlight feature.

Aiken County Public Schools congratulates the following educators on their new designations as Aiken County Lead Teachers!

Fine Arts – Annie Laurie Matson - Aiken Elementary; Denise Spacek - Millbrook Elementary; Tracy Finch - Aiken Middle; Charla Coffin - Leavelle McCampbell Middle; Dr. Kimberly Fontanez - New Ellenton Middle; Jaime Powell - North Augusta Middle; Christina Mode-Hardin - North Augusta Middle; Tara Wessinger-Hanna - Aiken High; Heather Drake - Midland Valley High ; Chuck Deen - North Augusta High; and Blake Fowler - North Augusta High.

Physical Education – Kay Pounds - Aiken Elementary.

Blended Learning – Tabatha Younts - Belvedere Elementary.

Career and Technology – Alvina Head - Jackson Middle and New Ellenton Middle; Jean Gorthy - Aiken High; Trina Greenwood - Career and Technology Center; and Oscar Rushton - South Aiken High.

Classroom Management – Beth Graham - Hammond Hill Elementary School; and Sabrina Buggs - A.L. Corbett Middle School.

English Language Arts – Julia Bips - J.D. Lever Elementary; Kelly Anne Moore - North Augusta Elementary; Misty McConnell - Redcliffe Elementary; Rosalyn Greene - Jackson Middle; Kanelia Cannon - New Ellenton Middle; Kayla Hostetler - Aiken High; Dr. Elisabeth Hardy - North Augusta High; Ginger Dunker - South Aiken High; and Glenda Smith - South Aiken High

ESOL – Stephanie Camp - Chukker Creek Elementary, Greendale Elementary, and Millbrook Elementary; and Elizabeth Supan – Oakwood-Windsor Elementary and Jefferson Elementary.

Gifted and Talented – Agnes Hobson - Millbrook Elementary; Brian Gibbons - Busbee Elementary; Alecia Kinard - Chukker Creek Elementary; and Marianne Swearingen - Aiken Elementary.

Mastery Connect – Amy Edwards - Mossy Creek Elementary.

Mathematics – Cristie Caldwell - Aiken Elementary; Alecia Kinard - Chukker Creek Elementary; Ginger Pope - Hammond Hill Elementary; Margaret Brown - Aiken Middle; and Melissa Drew - North Augusta High.

Media Specialists – Michelle King – Kennedy Middle.

Read 180 / System 44 – Holly Wills - Chukker Creek Elementary; Shannon Bowers - Jefferson Elementary; Vondra Savage - Aiken Middle; and Dawn Anderson - North Augusta High.

Science – Kishni Neville - Jackson Middle; Scott Sutherland - New Ellenton Middle; and Deborah Garrett - North Augusta Middle.

Smart Leads – Brian Gibbons - Busbee Elementary; and Sarah Emerling - Hammond Hill Elementary.

Social Studies – Jacqueline Osteen - Gloverville Elementary; Theresa Spieker - Mossy Creek Elementary; Ophelia Mixon - Jackson Middle; Kevin Ayers - New Ellenton Middle; Christine Liner - Paul Knox Middle; and Travis Spears - North Augusta High.

Special Education – Ivey Savage- Byrd Elementary; Carrie Lucas - Chukker Creek Elementary; Michelle Butts - Chukker Creek Elementary; Marissa Lynn - Jefferson Elementary; Jody Pecena - Aiken Middle; Teresa Johnson - A.L. Corbett Middle; Jennifer Cady - Kennedy Middle; Carole Collum - Kennedy Middle; Kelley Kirkland - Kennedy Middle; Allison Newbegin - LBC Middle; Tanesha Lewis - North Augusta Middle; Meribeth Ihnen - Midland Valley High; Natashia Berry - North Augusta High; Diana Meade - RSM High; and Joey Middlebrooks - RSM High.

LINK TO DISTRICT PR: 2018 PR LEAD TEACHERS