Four Aiken County Public School District educators received a “golden” surprise Friday morning, January 28, 2022. Social studies teacher Travis Spears of North Augusta High School; special education teacher Rachel Ayers of North Augusta Elementary School; fourth-grade teacher Katherine Carli of Byrd Elementary School; and social studies teacher Aaron Edwards of South Aiken High School were each presented with a prestigious Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence.
The Golden Apple Award is presented to a select number of CSRA educators each school year by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsors Great Deals on Furniture and Kroger.
“We are extremely proud of our deserving educators who have been honored with a Golden Apple Award,” stated Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence. “These outstanding teachers were nominated by parents, colleagues, and students, because they each display so many of the characteristics we often associate with great teachers, such as personal excellence, passion for academic achievement, and dedication to supporting individual student needs.”
The Golden Apple Award nomination for Mr. Spears included the following message: “His main job is teaching history, but he goes well beyond that. He coaches the boys’ golf team and led them to a second-place finish in the state this year. He also takes charge of Homecoming Week and the Homecoming Football Game every year. He rarely misses a game and is always there supporting his students. He also started the clay shooting team at NAHS and is an adviser to student council. This year, Mr. Spears led the effort to bring an aviation class to NAHS. It has really been a hit with students. It says a lot for a teacher when even after graduation (students) come back in to see him and tell him how his guidance has helped them in life.”
Rachel Ayers’ Golden Apple Award nomination included the following message: “Mrs. Ayers does a remarkable job meeting the needs of all of her students. I love watching her teach and interact with her students. I have been so fortunate to have her students join my class for activities, experiments, parties, recess, and lunch and it is always my favorite memory any given day or of years past. I cannot say enough great things about what Mrs. Ayers does for her students. She is such a hero in my eyes.”
The Golden Apple Award nomination for Katherine Carli included the following message: “Mrs. Carli has really made a huge impact on my daughter. I’ve never seen my daughter more excited about going to school until she met Mrs. Carli. Mrs. Carli had patience and made my daughter feel like someone was actually listening to her needs as a student who struggled with reading and math. Mrs. Carli probably doesn’t even know how she brightened up my child every day and every time she stepped foot into her classroom. I think she should be recognized for all of her hard work because I know teaching isn’t always easy. We really appreciate her for helping my daughter feel better about going to school.”
Among over 50 nominations received for teacher Aaron Edwards were the following messages: “Mr. Edwards is passionate about his job, he cares about individual students, and he makes us happy. Mr. Edwards is a great teacher who cares about his students. Mr. Edwards makes the class fun and he interacts with everyone.”
This year’s Golden Apple Award winners will be celebrated during a formal spring banquet to be televised live on Channel 6 on the evening of Friday, April 29, 2022.
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LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2022 PR GOLDEN APPLE AWARD WINNERS