School district announces five finalists for 2023-24 Teacher of the Year honor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 9

BEAUFORT – Five classroom teachers have been named as finalists for Beaufort County’s 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year.

Each year, we have the privilege of recognizing educators who go above and beyond in their pursuit of educational excellence.

Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Superintendent

The finalists are April Bryant, fifth-grade teacher at Coosa Elementary School; Amanda Freeman, science lab teacher at Mossy Oaks Elementary School; Josh Ferguson, health science teacher at Whale Branch Early College High School; James King, social studies teacher at May River High School; and Karen Tooman, math teacher at Battery Creek High School.

The five finalists were announced before an audience of educators at the opening session of the second day of 2023 Summer Institute, the district’s annual three-day summer professional development conference.  This year’s conference is being held at May River High School.

“Each year, we have the privilege of recognizing educators who go above and beyond in their pursuit of educational excellence,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez. “Our finalists have demonstrated an unwavering passion for teaching, inspiring their students to reach new heights of achievement and personal growth.”

The District Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.

Left to right: James King, May River HS; April Bryant, Coosa Elementary; Karen Tooman, Battery Creek HS; Amanda Freeman, Mossy Oaks Elementary; Josh Ferguson, Whale Branch Early College HS

Becoming District Teacher of the Year is a three-step process that began when school-level teachers of the year were selected in May.  Those wishing to compete for District Teacher of the Year submitted detailed applications in July.

In the second step, a selection committee consisting of parents, former educators and community leaders from across Beaufort County reviewed the applications and rated them using a numerical scoring system.  The five highest-scoring applicants were named as finalists. 

In the next step, the five finalists will be interviewed by a separate review committee again composed of judges from across the county. The judges will score candidates based on how well they respond to questions about their teaching experiences and current education issues.  After those interviews, the panel will select a District Teacher of the Year to represent Beaufort County’s classroom professionals.

Supporting video footage: https://youtu.be/0RKj_bTa4p0