Critell, Ragland among Teacher of the Year finalists in Greenville County

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Will Ragland

 Will Ragland of Woodmont High (left) and Matt Critell of Fork Shoals Elementary and are among ten teachers who have been selected as finalists in the 2012-13 Greenville County Teacher of the Year program.

Matt Critell

Finalists in alphabetical order are: Abigail Cook, Chemistry, Wade Hampton High; Matt Critell, Kindergarten, Fork Shoals School; Jillian Grimsley, Fifth Grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts; Jessica Jackson, Special Education, West Greenville School; Brian Morgan, Art, Duncan Chapel Elementary; Sara Newell, Fifth Grade, Sterling School; Will Ragland, Drama, Woodmont High; Rex Smith, Sixth Grade Science, League Academy of Communication Arts; Jennifer Valenti, Eighth Grade Spanish, Northwood Middle; and Sherryan Yarbrough, Kindergarten, Blythe Academy of Languages.

The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year. These teachers submitted applications which addressed their educational history and professional development, a professional biography, community involvement, philosophy of teaching, education issues and trends, the teaching profession, and a personal message to educators and the general public.

Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the ten finalists. The announcement naming Greenville County’s 2012-13 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.

The members of the Selection Committee are 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.

Matt Critell has more than four years teaching experience and has been as Fork Shoals for three years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree fromYoungstown State University.

Will Ragland, teachers drama at Woodmont High. He has nine years teaching experience and has been at Woodmont for four years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.