Greenville County Teacher of the Year 2024-25

CONGRATULATIONS

Chelsey Troutman Third Grade Teacher Brushy Creek Elementary

1st

RUNNER-UP

Bryan Raeckelboom Building Construction Instructor - Golden Strip Career Center

2nd

RUNNER-UP

Karla Cannon

Spanish Teacher - Riverside High

3 rd

RUNNER-UP

F rances McNeely

Math Teacher - Wade Hampton High

2 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

2024-25 GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to...

y e s l e h C n a m t T rou

Third Grade Teacher Brushy Creek Elementary

Chelsey Troutman, the 2024-25 Greenville County Schools

I believe that collaboration is the torch that can light the way to accomplishing meaningful change in education.”

— Chelsey Troutman

works diligently to help them connect with their abilities and support

Teacher of the Year, has a passion for education that shines through

their needs. “As an elementary school teacher, it is my mission to set

in her dedication to her students. Inspired by her own experiences

students up with a solid foundation through character development,

and the influential figures in her life, Chelsey creates an engaging

community building, and cultivating a love of learning,” she shares.

and supportive learning environment for her students at every

“These three pillars of my teaching philosophy help students to feel

opportunity. Today, as a third-grade teacher at Brushy Creek

safe, grow as members of society, and preserve their natural curiosity.”

Elementary School, she channels this inspiration to ensure her

Chelsey’s ultimate goal as a teacher is to instill a sense of curiosity

students feel respected and cared for.

and a love of learning in her students, ensuring they become lifelong

Her teaching philosophy centers on building strong relationships

learners who are prepared for the challenges of the future. One way

with her students, understanding their unique stories, and celebrating

she strives to do this is by providing valuable learning opportunities

their strengths. Chelsey believes that every student can succeed and

and a window into future careers. “I incorporate the skills, knowledge and characteristics of the Graduation Plus initiative within my classroom through the connections between academic and workforce skills,” she says. “First and foremost, I place a high level of importance on the soft skills employers seek that are also important interpersonal skills for children to hone. In addition to developing perseverance and communication skills, students are given many opportunities to practice time management and work in a team effectively.”

Her dedication to education extends beyond her classroom. She has mentored first-year and student teachers, helping them build strong relationships with their students and navigate challenges as they arise.

She believes in the power of collaboration and continuously learns from her peers, fostering a culture of mutual support and growth.

2024-2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR | 3

2024-25

Teacher of the Year

Runners-Up

FIRST RUNNER-UP

Bryan Raeckelboom Building Construction Instructor – Golden Strip Career Center As a teacher, I must extend my efforts to bring the classroom to students, emphasizing their strengths and helping them realize that their perspective matters.”

SECOND RUNNER-UP

Karla Cannon Spanish Teacher - Riverside High I have learned through experience that students will work hard because they respect you and care about their relationship with you.”

THIRD RUNNER-UP

F rances McNeely Math Teacher - Wade Hampton High I expect excellence from all students in my classroom because students will rise to the expectations set by the teacher.”

4 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

2024-25

Teacher of the Year

Finalists Public Education Partners Honors Two

FIRST CLASS TEACHERS

Lisa Brundridge Special Education Teacher at Northwest Middle

Brian Maddux Special Education Teacher at Woodmont High

The First Class Teachers Award, sponsored by Public Education Partners, recognizes 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.

Elementary Level

Megan Stanton Third Grade Teacher Summit Drive Elementary

Secondary Level

Will Cooper Math Teacher Mauldin High

Katie Murphy Art Teacher at East North Street Academy

Anna Nieto

Multilingual Learner Program Teacher at Sevier Middle

Greenville Federal Credit Union Honors Two

EMERGING TEACHERS The Emerging Teachers of the Year, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second- or thirdyear teacher at the elementary and secondary levels for outstanding performance.

Each winner receives $500, a crystal award and $500 for his/her school.

Staci Purvis

Art Teacher at Berea Elementary

Jessica Yarbro Special Education Teacher at Washington Center

Elementary Level

Eliza Morgan First Grade Teacher Lake Forest Elementary

Secondary Level

Annie Miller Spanish Teacher Greer High

2024-2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR | 5

Teachers OF A.J. Whittenberg Elementary

DAWN WILSON

Alexander Elementary

HALEY BECK

CAROLINE SWEETING Armstrong Elementary

Augusta Circle Elementary

Beck International Academy

CHRISTINA MARTIN

ELLEN GORDON

TRAVIS BRUCE HENSON

TARA SARGENT

LOURDES CRAGNOLINI

Berea Middle

MEENU SHARMA Bryson Middle

BRYAN G. RIEBE

Donaldson Career Center

KACIE ISBELL

Fork Shoals School

Bethel Elementary

KRISTEN WYATT

Buena Vista Elementary

KEN MORRILL, JR.

Blue Ridge High

DE’AREYES BRYANT

Carolina High and Academy

AMANDA TUCCI

Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle

Child Development Centers

LESLIE BAXLEY

ROB SHEFFIELD

Fountain Inn Elementary

6 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Fountain Inn High

ELLIE WHITE

Blue Ridge Middle

JENNY DEHLINGER

KATHERINE SUTTON

Blythe Academy

ANNA DAULTON

Chandler Creek Elementary

Cherrydale Elementary

TAMARA WEBB

JEANENE SMITH

Duncan Chapel Elementary

TARA GUY

Gateway Elementary

Eastside High

SONJA AIRLINE

GCS Virtual Program

KRISTINE FALLIS

FRED BOSTIC

JILL KNIGHT

ASHLEY ROSE RANDOLPH

Bell’s Crossing Elementary

Brook Glenn Elementary

COURTNEY DAY

Crestview Elementary

KENISHA THOMPSON

Ellen Woodside Elementary/ Riley CDC

ANNA DUBBERLY

Greenbrier Elementary

Berea High

Bryson Elementary/ Golden Strip CDC

ETHAN COX

CTE Innovation Center

TAVIS LYDIC

Enoree Career Center

KAREN HARRIS

Greenville Early College

THE YEAR! SAMANTHA SLOVER

2024 2025

Greenville Middle Academy

Greenville Sr. High Academy

KATHLEEN JOHNSON

KELLEN ROLLINS

JENNIFER RICHEY

KRISTIN RUTLEDGE

LAUREN TENHOLDER Hughes Academy

J. Harley Bonds Career Center

RUTH TERKELSEN

STEPHANIE PAYNE

KATIE ADAMS WILLIAMS

CHERIE JOHNSON

MCKENZIE MORGAN SMITH

Northwood Middle

VICKI BRAMER

LORRIE DODSON

SAMANTHA LITCHER

ELIZABETH DODD

Hillcrest Middle

League Academy

Mountain View Elementary

Riverside Middle

Hollis Academy

Mauldin Elementary

KRISTI HARRIS

Robert E. Cashion Elementary

Greer High

Mauldin High

Oakview Elementary

LAURA SHAW

Rudolph Gordon School

TRACI FARRINGTON

MARY GRACE MACK

RICK SCHWARTZ

CAROLYNN LENDERMAN

Greer Middle

Mauldin Middle

Paris Elementary

ERIN HEDGES

Sara Collins Elementary

Grove Elementary

J. L. Mann High Academy

NINA SPATARO

GINA SCOTT

AMANDA WATTS

LIZ MCLENDON

BRIANNA LEWIS

Heritage Elementary

Lake Forest Elementary

CASEY STEWART

Mitchell Road Elementary

Monarch Elementary

SARAH MEEKINS

KAITLYN STEVENSON

Pelham Road Elementary

CARRIE MCALISTER

Simpsonville Elementary

Plain Elementary

KIM SULLIVAN

Skyland Elementary

Hillcrest High

Lakeview Middle

JULIE MERCADO

Monaview Elementary

ANGELICA GREEN

Ralph Chandler Middle

CHRISTINA MOBLEY

Slater-Marietta Elementary

2024-2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR | 7

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR! 2024-2025

OLIVIA BAKER

BETH BEARD

Southside High

Sterling School Charles Townes Center

SAMUEL HUNTER

TYHESHA JUDGE-FOGLE

The Fine Arts Center

Thomas E. Kerns Elementary

JILL ROHRER

Stone Academy

DALLIS KENNEDY

Sue Cleveland Elementary

KAELIN CORLEY

Tigerville Elementary

KATIE MELLER

Travelers Rest High

ALEXIS KITCHEN

Summit Drive Elementary

KAMMIE FRADY

Welcome Elementary

JACQUELINE MARTIN

Tanglewood Middle School

BRIAN DAVIS

West Greenville School

BETSY CROWE

Taylors Elementary

BRENDA NELSON

Westcliffe Elementary

GCS Board of Trustees

MADELYN FORRESTER Woodland Elementary

LILLIAN JOHNSON Woodmont Middle

CAROLYN STYLES Area 17, Chair

ANGIE MOSLEY Area 21, Vice-Chair

ANN MARIE MIDDLETON Area 18, Secretary

AMANDA BRETT Area 26

DEBI BUSH Area 19

JEFF COCHRAN Area 28

SARAH DULIN Area 27

MICHELLE GOODWIN-CALWILE Area 25

LYNDA LEVENTIS-WELLS Area 22

GLENDA MORRISON-FAIR Area 23

ANNE PRESSLEY Area 24

CHARLES J. SAYLORS Area 20

Carolyn Styles, Ed.D. 2024-2025 | Board Chair W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent P. O. Box 2848 Greenville, SC 29602 864-355-3100 For questions regarding the Teacher of the Year selection process, please contact the Greenville County Schools Office of Strategic Communications and Engagement

8 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

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