Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Spearman Announces Third Finalist for Teacher of the Year
Lexington, SC – State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the third of five finalists for South Carolina’s prestigious Teacher of the Year award during a visit to Lexington County School District One.
“I was excited to visit Meadow Glen Middle School today and inform Albert Robertson that he is one of the finalists for the Teacher of the Year award,” said Spearman. “Albert is a teacher who strives to connect with his students every day and his dedication serves as a model for other educators,” concluded Spearman.
“Albert is a wonderful teacher who exemplifies excellence in teaching throughout our district and state,” said Dr. Karen Woodward, Superintendent of Lexington County School District One. “We are proud of him and of what he does for our students at Meadow Glen Middle. He will represent us all well,” concluded Woodward.
“This honor validates the great job that Albert does in the classroom every day,” said Dr. Bill Coon, Principal of Meadow Glen Middle. “Albert’s passion and dedication to his students are evident to anyone who spends time in his classroom. Simply put, he is a great teacher,” stated Coon.
Robertson is a 7th grade Social Studies teacher. His grandmother instilled a love of learning in him at an early age, while his economics teacher nurtured his love for history as an adolescent. He received the 2014 Palmetto State Social Studies Teacher of Excellence Award. He attributes his success in the classroom to relationship building, which includes listening and dancing to his students’ music and learning about their interests.
As one of five finalists, Robertson 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.
Robertson will represent Lexington 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: L-R District Superintendent Dr. Karen Woodward; State Superintendent Molly Spearman; Albert Robertson; and Principal Dr. Bill Coon.)
