State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman surprised Legacy Early College's Deion Jamison today with news that he has been selected as one of five finalists for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award. 

“We are honored to celebrate Deion as a finalist for this year's award," said Superintendent Spearman. "His work as an educator has been recognized nationally, and in his classroom he focuses on equipping his students with important lifelong skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving to address the world's most pressing issues."

Deion Jamison is a seventh through tenth grade English Language Arts teacher at Legacy Early College in Greenville with the South Carolina Public Charter School District. He earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Clemson University and a master's from Johns Hopkins University. This marks his fourth year in the classroom.

“As the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year for the S.C. Public Charter School District, Deion has spent the better part of a year as an advocate, champion and ambassador for school choice in South Carolina,” stated Chris Neeley, Superintendent of the S.C. Public Charter School District. “It’s no surprise that he has been selected as a finalist for one of the state’s highest awards for educators. His commitment to student-centric teaching emphasizes the importance of developing the whole child, and he is steadily transforming young lives in the process.”

Deion became interested in teaching as a child, but the career choice was solidified after recognizing the disparities in education in South Carolina between districts. As a Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar and product of Orangeburg County Schools, he ascribes to the proverb, "to whom much is given, much is required," further influencing his decision to teach.

Deion is a recipient of the Early Career Educator of Color Leadership award from the National Council of Teachers of English and Teach for America. He was also honored with the Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teacher Leadership award.

As one of five finalists, Deion will receive $10,000 and go on to the next stage of competition which involves an interview with a team of expert judges. The winner will be announced at the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Gala on May 4 in Columbia.

The winner receives a total of $25,000 and is provided with a brand new BMW to use while serving for one year as a roving ambassador providing mentoring, attending speaking engagements, working with Teacher Cadets and Teaching Fellows, leading the State Teacher Forum, and serving as the state spokesperson for over 55,000 educators.

The Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on the district, state, and national levels. The Teacher of the Year Awards not only assist in retention efforts but serve as a powerful recruitment tool to the educator profession. Tickets and sponsorship information for this year's Teacher of the Year Gala can be found at www.sceducationfoundation.com.