Lindsay Zika, the 2023-24 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, makes connections with her students through examples from her own childhood and experiences as a global educator.
Lindsay was fortunate to learn from many amazing teachers growing up, but her mother’s example as a speech-language pathologist shined brightest. She watched her mother make connections with students and their families, and, today, Lindsay carries on this tradition in order to make sure all of her students know she believes in them and their ability to succeed. Not only has this been a top priority as a Multilingual Learner Program teacher (MLP) at Greenville Senior High Academy, but also as an educator in California, Mexico, Belize and the Dominican Republic.
For Lindsay, the educational process begins with learning each student’s story. It sounds simple, but she wants her students to know from the very beginning: I see you, and you belong here. She believes that ALL students can succeed. Lindsay shares that her primary job is to help students connect with their strengths, as well as to support their specific needs. Lindsay believes in teaching future leaders and that students should take ownership of their learning. Her students know she has high expectations for them, which she fully believes they are capable of reaching.
Her main goal as an MLP teacher is to prepare students to be productive members of society. The first step Lindsay takes is by helping her multilingual learners acquire the social and academic English skills they need to graduate from high school, succeed in college or vocational training, and successfully join the workforce. Students need to understand what opportunities are available and how to access them. Lindsay encourages her students to venture out of their comfort zones and take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. This empowers them to take ownership of their learning, self-advocate and choose classes aligned with their goals; she can then provide support and encouragement to help reach them.
I am amazed by what students can achieve when they feel valued and connected. The first thing I want students to learn in my classroom is their teacher respects and believes in them. Once they know this, they are on their way to becoming confident, successful learners.”
— Lindsay Zika
2023-24
Teacher of the Year
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Crystal Chappell
4th Grade Teacher — Monaview Elementary
I embrace a whole-child approach to learning and do so by being a life-long learner myself. This guarantees my students receive the most up-to-date teaching practices and resources available.”
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Erin Wilson
Music Teacher — Bell’s Crossing Elementary
Creating a student-centered classroom also involves making connections to students’ interests when presenting content-specific standards. When students connect the curriculum to their prior knowledge and interests, they develop a deeper understanding of the content.”
THIRD RUNNER-UP
Isaac West
5th Grade Teacher — Hollis Academy
My creativity is my greatest contribution to education. I create simulations, multimedia presentations and art projects—all for the purpose of making content accessible to students in all subject areas.”
The First Class Teachers Awards, sponsored by Public Education Partners, recognize two first-year teachers, one at the elementary and one at the secondary level, for their outstanding performance. Each winner receives $250 and a personalized crystal award.
The Emerging Teachers of the Year, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a secondor third-year teacher at the elementary and secondary levels for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award, and $500 for their school.
MIRNA HAWTHORNE A.J. Whittenberg Elementary
WENDY MILLER Alexander Elementary
HARRIETT NORRIS Armstrong Elementary
ELLEN WILSON Augusta Circle Elementary
ALTON ELLISON Beck International Academy
MARY MCGOWAN Berea Elementary
KATHLEEN GARRETT Berea High
HANNAH KLUMPE Berea Middle
LAURA ARABEA Bethel Elementary
AMY RODDEY Blue Ridge High
KIMBERLY MURRAY Blue Ridge Middle
JOHANA RAIGOSA Blythe Academy
MAGGIE MOELLMAN Brook Glenn Elementary
KATE THOMPSON Brushy Creek Elementary
AMBER THEUS Bryson Elementary
JENNIFER POOLE Bryson Middle
CARRIE HODGE Buena Vista Elementary
MATTHEW WEBER Carolina High and Academy
TRAYCEE BEDFORD Chandler Creek Elementary
ELIZABETH ALLEN Cherrydale Elementary
AMBER DEATON Crestview Elementary
CHARLES BONZAGNI Donaldson Career Center KAILEE ROSE Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle
KELLY RHYNE Dunbar Child Development Center
WREN BALLOU Duncan Chapel Elementary
ELIZABETH SANTOS Eastside High
STEPHANIE POWELL Ellen Woodside Elementary
BARRY MARK CRAIN Enoree Career Center
MELANIE FOISTER Fork Shoals School TERI CASON Fountain Inn Elementary
JEFF HOFFMAN Fountain Inn High
NICOLE CARMENATES Gateway Elementary
STEPHEN SLOAN Golden Strip Career Center
LISA RUSKIN Greenbrier Elementary
JODY ALLISON Greenville Middle Academy
KIMBERLY BURNS Greer High KRISTY CRUTCHFIELD Greer Middle
KATHERINE WILSON Grove Elementary
DEVYN WASHBURN Heritage Elementary
MEREDITH O’MALLEY Hillcrest High
ROSETIA JOHNSON Hillcrest Middle
VIRGINIA BUTLER Hughes Academy
CHARLES SQUIRES J. Harley Bonds Career Center
DAVID BENNETT J. L. Mann High Academy
HALEY WOOD K-12 Virtual Program
DIANA ASHY NATIONS Lake Forest Elementary
LYNNETTE MCMASTER Lakeview Middle
ANNIE SEIDEL Mauldin Elementary
AMY DIPALMA Mauldin High TINA WILBANKS Mauldin Middle
CAITLYN RILEY Mitchell Road Elementary
KEELEY CROWLEY Monarch Elementary
JESSICA BRIDGES Mountain View Elementary
JAKE CAMPBELL Northwood Middle
DANIELLE GREER Oakview Elementary
SELA ESTELLE Paris Elementary CHERYL NIX Pelham Road Elementary
SWANNA HART Plain Elementary
NELL BERKELEY Ralph Chandler Middle
CARLA JANOSKY Riverside High
BRAD JOHNSON Riverside Middle
KAYLA KARL Robert E. Cashion Elementary
ANNE-JACKSON JEFFCOAT Rudolph Gordon School
SARAH LEWANDOWSKI Sara Collins Elementary
ABBY DICKERT Sevier Middle
ASHLEY BREWER Simpsonville Elementary
ELIZABETH BAIN Skyland Elementary
KERI GIBSON Slater-Marietta Elementary
MEGAN WRIGHT Southside High
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For more than 54 years, Greenville Federal Credit Union has provided financial services to the Greenville, South Carolina community. As a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking, we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.
For
we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.
For more than 54 years, Greenville Federal Credit Union has provided financial services to the Greenville, South Carolina community. As a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking, we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.
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