Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Spearman Announces Fourth Finalist for Teacher of the Year

Columbia, SC – State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the fourth of five finalists for South Carolina’s prestigious Teacher of the Year award during a visit to Richland County School District One.

“I’m pleased to announce that Daniel Oddo from Dreher High School is a finalist for this year’s Teacher of the Year award,” said Spearman.  “His commitment to students is second to none, having returned to the classroom after a successful career in school administration.  I am proud of Daniel and congratulate him, his family, and his fellow teachers for his success and all the support they have provided him,” concluded Spearman.

Oddo teaches Mathematics to students in grades nine through twelve.  He began his career in education as a math teacher and then became an assistant principal and principal.  After some reflection and with a renewed desire to teach again, he returned to the classroom after eight years in administration.  Oddo shares his content knowledge and instructional strategies as a presenter at numerous conferences and workshops including the South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

As a finalist, Oddo is in the running for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, which comes with a grand prize of $25,000 and a new BMW to drive for a year.  The four remaining finalists will each receive a check for $10,000.  All 82 school districts select a district teacher of the year, and the five finalists are selected from this pool. 

Oddo will represent Richland County School District One at the 50th anniversary of the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Celebration on Wednesday, April 22 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.  The annual celebration is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina Future Minds, the nonprofit organization that connects private support to South Carolina's public schools.  For tickets and more information, visit the South Carolina Future Minds Teacher of the Year Web page here. 

(Photo: State Superintendent Molly Spearman with Daniel Oddo and Dreher High and Richland One officials.)