Top Ten Finalists for 2015-16 GCS Teacher of the Year
April 6, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – Ten finalists have been selected in the 2015-16 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year program. They are, in alphabetical order:
- Alice Bradley, Seventh Grade Language Arts, Ralph Chandler Middle School
- Amy Burnett, Mathematics, Berea High School
- Kristin Danko, Fourth Grade, Bell’s Crossing Elementary School
- Shiree Turner Fowler, Kindergarten, Hollis Elementary Academy
- Tracy Gay, Fifth Grade, Crestview Elementary School
- Stacy Hall, Sixth Grade School Counseling, Riverside Middle School
- Anne Matthews, String Orchestra, Greenville Middle Academy
- Shelley Peak, Third Grade, Robert E. Cashion Elementary School
- David Quigley, Math and Science, Woodmont High School
- Heather Steading, Fifth Grade, Fork Shoals School
The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year. These teachers submitted applications which included a professional biography, their educational history and professional development, community involvement, philosophy of teaching, education issues and trends, the teaching profession, student achievement, and a personal message to educators and the general public.
Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the Top Ten. The announcement naming Greenville County’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year will be made in August.
The members of the Selection Committee are Mrs. Lillie Lewis, Southern Wesleyan University; Mrs. Kelly Nalley, former Greenville County Schools and South Carolina Teacher of the Year; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; Mr. Scott Powell, The Rotary Club of Greenville; and Mr. Bill Tyler, Greer Chick-fil-A.
Profile of Top Ten Teachers:
Alice Bradley, Seventh Grade Language Arts, Ralph Chandler Middle School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 7
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English; Master’s degree with Concentration in Literacy, Furman University
Amy Burnett, Mathematics, Berea High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 10
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Anderson University; Master’s of Education, Southern Wesleyan University
Kristin Danko, Fourth Grade, Bell’s Crossing Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 22
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, Mount Union College
Shiree Turner Fowler, Kindergarten, Hollis Elementary Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 12
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Social Work, Seattle University; Master’s degree in Teaching, Elementary Education, City University Seattle
Tracy Gay, Fifth Grade, Crestview Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 18
Education – Associate degree, North Greenville College; Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Presbyterian College; Master’s in Elementary Education, Furman University
Stacy Hall, Sixth Grade School Counseling, Riverside Middle School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 3.5
National Board Certified Teacher
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Development and Services, Mercer University; Master’s degree in Community Counseling, Georgia State University
Anne Matthews, String Orchestra, Greenville Middle Academy
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 22
National Board Certified Teacher
Education – Bachelor’s of Music, Meredith College; Master’s degree in Education, Western Kentucky University
Shelley Peak, Third Grade, Robert E. Cashion Elementary School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 9
Education – Associate degree in Elementary Education, Pellissippi State Technical Community College; Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Belmont Abbey College
David Quigley, Math and Science, Woodmont High School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 14
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Physics, University of Vermont; Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Vermont
Heather Steading, Fifth Grade, Fork Shoals School
Total Years of Teaching Experience – 5
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Clemson University; Master’s degree in Literacy and ESOL, Clemson University
