Overview
South Carolina faces two converging challenges for the future of its students and workforce: first, a critical shortage of public-school educators, particularly in STEM areas; and second, the changing nature of jobs requiring an advanced understanding of STEM content areas and the skills required to tackle complex problems. The state will need to significantly increase its number of STEM educators in order to meet the demands of an evolving economy.
SCCMS and its partners – SC Competes, The STEM Center at the Citadel, Comporium, Bojangles, and the SC Department of Commerce – are proud to launch the 6th annual STEM Educator of the Year Award. This award is for teachers who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the state by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom.
SCCMS and its partners – SC Competes, The STEM Center at the Citadel, Comporium, Bojangles, and the SC Department of Commerce – are proud to launch the 6th annual STEM Educator of the Year Award. This award is for teachers who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the state by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom.
How The Process Works
Anyone, including oneself, can nominate a deserving teacher. Once, nominated, the teacher is sent Phase 2, the application, and must answer all questions. The South Carolina STEM Teacher of the Year Committee then reviews all of the applications and selects five finalists, one from each of the 5 regions, who will interview with our selection panel. Once the interview process is complete, a winner is selected.
Criteria
Eligibility
The next STEM Educator of the Year will demonstrate:
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2024 SC STEM Educator of the Year Winner
Millibeth Currie
2024 SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists
The 2024 South Carolina STEM Educator of the Year was announced at STEM Day at the Capitol on April 10, 2024, in Columbia, SC
Regional Finalists Winners!
Region 1
Jennifer Wilson, Math Teacher, McCants Middle School, Anderson SC
STEM Platform: The importance and relevancy of STEM education to all students and fellow. educators
Region 2
Crystal Blanton, Math teacher/Math intervention, Lugoff-Elgin Middle School, Lugoff, SC
STEM Platform: Create and facilitate a conducive STEM ecosystem in South Carolina.
Region 3
Debbie Bond, Middle School Science Teacher, PACE Academy, Columbia SC
STEM Platform: Give students with disabilities the opportunity to thrive in a multi-sensory environment.
Region 4
Raymond Anacaya, STEAM Teacher, Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, Florence School District 3
STEM Platform: Bridging the achievement gap in education by incorporating STEM into English/Language Arts and Mathematics.
Region 5
Millibeth Currie, Seventh Grade Science Teacher & Program Director of "Women in Charge: Engineering Women's Lives", Moultrie Middle School, Mount Pleasant, SC
STEM Platform: STEM K-12: Engineering equity and opportunity for all.
Regional Finalists Winners!
Region 1
Jennifer Wilson, Math Teacher, McCants Middle School, Anderson SC
STEM Platform: The importance and relevancy of STEM education to all students and fellow. educators
Region 2
Crystal Blanton, Math teacher/Math intervention, Lugoff-Elgin Middle School, Lugoff, SC
STEM Platform: Create and facilitate a conducive STEM ecosystem in South Carolina.
Region 3
Debbie Bond, Middle School Science Teacher, PACE Academy, Columbia SC
STEM Platform: Give students with disabilities the opportunity to thrive in a multi-sensory environment.
Region 4
Raymond Anacaya, STEAM Teacher, Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, Florence School District 3
STEM Platform: Bridging the achievement gap in education by incorporating STEM into English/Language Arts and Mathematics.
Region 5
Millibeth Currie, Seventh Grade Science Teacher & Program Director of "Women in Charge: Engineering Women's Lives", Moultrie Middle School, Mount Pleasant, SC
STEM Platform: STEM K-12: Engineering equity and opportunity for all.