Jared Fricks, Chorus Teacher at Palmetto High School, has been selected the Anderson School District One 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year at the District’s annual Back to School Celebration held last Friday.
“As a product of Anderson School District One, I am extremely honored to represent Anderson One and Palmetto High School as District Teacher of the Year,” Fricks said. “As a choral director, I am a huge advocate for arts education in schools. I am lucky to work in a district that values and supports fine arts. My students are the reason I come to work each day, and I love making beautiful music with them.”
Following the announcement, Fricks shared he was in education today because of teachers that greatly impacted him as a student and encouraged him to consider the education profession. Mr. Fricks has taught 5 years in Anderson One at Palmetto Middle and Palmetto High. He is a member of the National Association for Music Educators and the American Choral Directors Association. Mr. Fricks said, “I believe before you can teach a student, you must make a connection with each one and make them feel they are loved, seen, respected, and valued.”
According to Harrison, a very qualified committee of judges reviewed the applications and selected three finalists that were recognized: Sarah Coyle, Wren Elementary, Jared Fricks, Palmetto High, and Melody Weatherford, Wren High.
Superintendent Robbie Binnicker said, “I am very proud of Mr. Fricks and the work that he has done. He is an incredible teacher that cares about students. He has built an outstanding choral program beginning at Palmetto Middle and more recently moving to Palmetto High School. He led the district to create a district chorus for secondary students. We are proud of him.”
Robbie Roach, Principal at Palmetto High said, “Mr. Fricks is an invaluable member of our faculty. He has exceptional command of his Chorus content. He has accepted the mission to challenge the students and lead them to new heights of achievement in the performing arts. He is one of the most outstanding educators I have encountered.”
