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Teacher of the Year

The South Carolina Teacher of the Year (TOY) is a program of the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) coordinated by the Office of Educator Services. The South Carolina TOY program annually identifies, recognizes, and celebrates exceptional teachers and their effective work in and outside the classroom. The SCDE works in collaboration with the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement (CERRA) to provide professional development and leadership opportunities to all District Teachers of the Year. The teacher selected as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year serves for one school year as a roving ambassador promoting the teaching profession and as the state spokesperson for over 60,000 educators.

South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE)

Overview

The SCDE oversees PK-12 public education in the state, the mission of the SCDE is to provide leadership and support so that all public education students graduate prepared for success. The agency works closely with students, parents, educators, staff, school districts, and government officials to facilitate the best possible education for South Carolina’s students. The SCDE established the South Carolina Education Foundation as a 501c3 nonprofit arm of the agency in order to facilitate private support for the annual Teacher of the Year Gala and other student and teacher recognition programs.

SCDE Role in the TOY Process

Teachers are nominated by South Carolina school districts for consideration as state Teacher of the Year. In addition to the application, interview, and selection processes, the SCDE coordinates the celebration events designed to recognize South Carolina’s outstanding educators. With help from CERRA, volunteers, and business and community representatives, the SCDE begins the planning process a year in advance to ensure that each teacher gets the recognition deserved. The Teacher of the Year celebration events begin with a reception at the Hilton hotel followed by a Gala at the Convention Center, and conclude the next day with the teachers being recognized in the SC House of Representatives and SC Senate.
 
Michael Carothers
SC State Teacher of the Year Coordinator
mdcarothers@ed.sc.gov
803-896-2160

Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement (CERRA)

Overview

The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement (CERRA) was established by the Commission on Higher Education in December 1985 and is funded by the South Carolina General Assembly. CERRA was created out of a concern for the condition of South Carolina's teacher pipeline and a need for a centralized teacher recruitment effort. The network of educators in CERRA’s programs overlaps in powerful ways to increase the level of collaboration for recruitment, retention, and advancement of South Carolina educators. Additional information may be found at www.cerra.org.

Role in the TOY Process

CERRA’s primary role in the Teacher of the Year process is the facilitation of the fall SC Teacher Forum Conference and the spring and summer Teacher Forum meetings for the District Teachers of the Year. The Forum events provide professional development designed specifically for these teacher leaders. CERRA also sponsors a luncheon, which is held in honor of the five finalists on Interview Day, and works closely with the SCDE to facilitate the Teacher of the Year celebration events.

In addition, the SC Teacher of the Year serves a one-year residency at CERRA. The residency provides the autonomy and the flexibility needed to accept the numerous invitations to speak and participate in professional development opportunities available to the SC Teacher of the Year. Believing that teacher leadership is not a one-year commitment, CERRA works closely with the Veteran State Teachers of the Year and the Honor Roll Teachers. These accomplished educators are included in many of the Teacher Forum events.
 
Suzanne Koty, PhD
Program Director
suzanne@cerra.org
803-464-0520

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