Richland Two announces five finalists for 2024-2025 District Teacher of the Year

Richland School District Two is announcing its five finalists for 2024-2025 District Teacher of the Year. The finalists and their schools are Hannah Cummings, Round Top Elementary School; Yoko Hughes, Bookman Road Elementary School; Julie Russell, Blythewood High School; Dr. Nicola Smiling, Longleaf Middle School; and Rona Stuart, Spring Valley High School.

“We started this school year with a focused look at our past and future, centered around the five pillars of the district’s strategic plan. Human Capital, one of our most important pillars, is a crucial resource for any organization. These finalists demonstrate daily a real commitment to Richland School District Two students, its mission and core values. Collaborating with teachers like these, Richland Two will undoubtedly be a national model of excellence in teaching, learning and in everything that we do,” said Superintendent Dr. Kim D. Moore.

24-25 R2 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

Hannah Cummings is a third-grade teacher at Round Top Elementary School. Since childhood, Cummings knew she wanted to teach. Cummings holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Clemson University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. She is actively involved in her students’ lives in and out of the classroom.

Cummings says, “Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I made an effort to personally connect with each student by visiting them on a Saturday, waving and offering a gesture of support.” Frequently, she also supports her students at various events such as concerts, sporting competitions and celebrations. Cummings has been employed with Richland Two for four years at Round Top. She is a former Rookie Teacher of the Year finalist. She is pursuing National Board Certification, the most respected professional certification available in education. An advocate for teacher retention, Cummings believes prioritizing the well-being of teachers now will create a better environment for future students.

Yoko Hughes is a 1999 graduate of Richland Northeast High School. A 20-year teaching veteran, Hughes brought her talents back to Richland School District Two in 2013. She is an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Site team leader at Bookman Road Elementary School where she teaches all grades. For five years she taught at Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School. Hughes graduated from Limestone College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She holds two Master of Education degrees, one in Divergent Learning from Columbia College and the other in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Hughes was named Teacher of the Year in 2012 at Hyatt Park Elementary School in Richland School District One. Hughes takes immense pride in exposing her elementary students to colleges and universities, even visiting a local university, to help students get a visual of what their future could look like.

Hughes sees the teacher shortage and retention has a major issue facing public education. “Being an educator is a tough career. On the other hand, it also brings so much joy and fulfillment. My goal is to bring teaching back to its roots: Molding lifelong learners with love,” said Hughes.

Julie Russell is an Orchestra Director at Blythewood High School. She opens every orchestra concert with, “I love my job, I really do!” Russell fell in love with music education at age 15.

“There is something rewarding about taking a piece of music, working in small sections, and hearing a noticeable difference in the outcome. I learned about persistence through the daily struggle of practice, and beauty of the craft, through the musical stories told in each composition,” Russell said.

She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2009 from the University of South Carolina. She is the Chair of the South Carolina Music Educators Association Region Orchestra and the South Carolina Music Educators Association Membership. If selected as District Teacher of the Year, Russell would use the platform to communicate a message of hope to teachers and remind them they are making a difference.

Dr. Nicola Smiling is a team leader for sixth through eighth grade computer science at Longleaf Middle School where she is also the assistant athletic director. She graduated from the University of Technology in Jamaica with a Bachelor of Education in Technical Vocational Education and Training. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University and a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University.

Dr. Smiling believes the mental health and well-being of students is a major public education issue. She collaborates with school counselors and mental health professionals to provide comprehensive support for students and has created a cozy corner in her classroom where students can unwind and recharge.

“The escalating prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address this multifaceted challenge,” said Dr. Smiling.

Rona Stuart teaches Social Studies at Spring Valley High School. A 21-year educator, she also spends evenings teaching at the W. R. Rogers Center for Adult, Technology and Continuing Education. Stuart has a simple message for all students: Take advantage of your education.

“I want our students to avoid the pitfall of taking their education for granted. It is hard to make it in our society without a good education. I challenge students to look at the quality of life they want to have and what it will require to get there. Anything is possible if you are willing to work to attain it,” Stuart said.

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of Charleston and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education, Social Studies from the University of South Carolina. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education from Walden University.

Finalists received surprise visits from the superintendent, their principals and other administrators who announced they are in the top five competing for the Richland Two District Teacher of the Year.

LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/1CvimqMN_QI