Gov. Nikki Haley Celebrates S.C. Teacher of the Year, Announces Teacher Appreciation Month

COLUMBIA, SC – Governor Nikki Haley was joined today by S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman in celebrating the 2015 South Carolina Teacher of the Year and announcing a statewide proclamation that designates the month of May as Teacher Appreciation Month throughout South Carolina.

“One teacher can change the entire experience for a child,” said Gov. Haley. “While May is a month that we celebrate teachers, I really want South Carolina to be a state where we celebrate teachers all year long and remember what they do every day. Remind everybody they’re not just a teacher – they’re a parent, a guidance counselor, a nurse, or a pastor – they’re whatever that child needs them to be on any given day. And that’s something we should celebrate every day.”

The governor’s proclamation recognizes the important roles that teachers play in the lives of students and in their communities, and encourages all South Carolinians to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions and positive impact that teachers have in South Carolina.

Clifton Rutledge, CEO of Bojangles, and Trip Dubard of S.C. Future Minds also joined the governor at the event. Bojangles, a longtime supporter of education in South Carolina, has committed to donating nearly 3,000 books this year in honor of the District Teachers of the Year.

The 2015 Teacher of the Year, Suzanne Koty, was chosen from the group of District Teachers of the Year and is an English and Theory of Knowledge teacher at Sumter High School.

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