Anderson School District One recently announced that Braden Wilson, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School, is the District Teacher of the Year.
Each of the District’s 14 schools selects a Teacher of the Year who becomes eligible to become the District Teacher of the Year. Three finalists are chosen from the initial 14, and one winner is announced at the District’s Opening Session meeting, which was held on Friday, July 28th at Palmetto Middle School. The other two finalists were Matthew Gregory, Cedar Grove Elementary, and Julia Clardy, Palmetto Elementary.
Along with the award, the District Teacher of the Year receives a $2000 check from Upstate Federal Credit. This year Hannah Powell from Upstate Federal Credit Union presented the check to Wilson. Additionally, Your Hometown Lawyer, Attorney Jason Porter, presented Wilson with an all expenses paid weekend at the Grove Park Inn, a $3000 value. Porter attended the opening session to present this certificate and congratulate Wilson personally.
Upon receiving the award, Wilson said, “Anderson School District One is filled to the brim with some of the most passionate and talented educators in the nation. I’m privileged to get to learn from them every day in the classroom, and thankful that the district always provides us with support to continue to do what is best for our students. I am truly humbled and immensely honored to represent them and the best district in the state, as teacher of the year.”
Wilson will serve as the leader of the Teacher of the Year Forum which meets regularly with Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. He had the following to add in regards to the award,
“Last year our theme was ELEVATE everything we do in Anderson One to help our students achieve academic success. This year, as our schools continue to meet in collaborative teams as part of our commitment to Professional Learning Communities, we updated the theme to ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION. Upstate Federal Credit Union and Jason Porter have helped us ELEVATE how we celebrate and honor our best teachers. Through their generous sponsorship of District Teacher of the Year awards, they have helped recognize excellence in our District’s classrooms.”
In addition to the District Teacher of the Year, Anderson One presented awards for Induction Teacher of the Year. Induction Teachers are those teachers that have completed their first year of teaching. This year’s winner was Kelsey Smith from Wren Elementary School.
Anderson One also recognized the Support Staff of the Year. Support Staff are classified employees who work in schools who work in our schools to support our students. Stacey Wigington, the Job Coach from Wren High School, was this year’s winner. We congratulate all of our Teachers of the Year , Support Staff of the Year and our Induction Teacher of the Year. We wish Braden Wilson the best in the state competition.
