Dutch Fork Middle School teacher to be recognized with excellence in teaching award

IRMO, SC – Dutch Fork Middle School eighth grade social studies teacher Lori Wenzinger has been announced as the winner of Nystrom Education’s Civil Rights/Civil Liberties: Excellence in Teaching Award. Wenzinger will receive the award at the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies (SCCSS) annual conference in Myrtle Beach on September 29.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by Nystrom Education and the SCCSS for this award,” Wenzinger said. “My passion is for my students and they are the reason why I am even able to be awarded with this. This recognition will only fuel my drive for teaching even more as we head into a new school year.”

The Civil Rights/Civil Liberties: Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes and honors the accomplishments of a social studies teacher in the area of civil rights/civil liberties. Nominees inspire students to be fully informed about their civil rights and civil liberties assured by the Constitution. Wenzinger inspires her students to take informed action when they see injustices and is a responsible contributing member of democracy.

Wenzinger and Dutch Fork Middle created its “Hate Won’t Win” initiative during the 2015-2016 school year, where students took a stance against hate and intolerance. Last year, the school launched the “Hate Won’t Win ACTION Team” by creating partnerships with the community and performing purposeful acts of kindness. ACTION stands for Assisting Communities Together; Inspiring Our Neighbors. This year, Wenzinger plans to take the initiative even further.

“What she does for those students is simply amazing,” said District Five’s coordinator of social studies Melony Sanford, who nominated Wenzinger for the award. “It has been incredible to see the initiative that she and her students started two years ago, and how far it has come. I couldn’t think of a more deserving teacher for this award and we are so excited she won!”