A quiet Friday morning at Redcliffe Elementary School pivoted in an instant to one of the more memorable and exciting moments of Misty McConnell’s eight-year career in education.
Cheered on by Principal Terra van der Linden, colleagues, and members of her family, McConnell was taken by complete surprise as Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence and District staff members celebrated McConnell as the 2020-21 Aiken County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year with a presentation of a trophy, balloons, a cash prize, and other gifts.
“I love Aiken County and I’m just so excited to have this opportunity,” stated McConnell as she was congratulated by the school’s faculty. “There are challenges every year, and especially now with everything going on with the pandemic, but you meet all the children and every year is a great experience. Being that constant for my students every day and understanding they need me just as much as I need them really gets me excited.”
McConnell shared some encouragement with her fellow educators who may be struggling through a school year that has been different than any other.
“Just keep going and remember your purpose,” commented McConnell. “We wouldn’t be here as teachers unless there was a greater purpose and this is it.”
“She does a fantastic job of teaching,” added Principal Terra van der Linden. “She’s in her classroom singing and dancing and doing whatever she can to get her students involved and engaged. She is absolutely amazing.”
The visit to Redcliffe Elementary to honor District Teacher of the Year Misty McConnell was just the first stop in a day full of fun surprises for Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence in celebrating some of Aiken County’s finest educators and administrators. The team made additional visits to North Augusta Elementary School for the announcement of Assistant Principal of the Year Lindsey Hager, and to Aiken High School for two announcements, that of Principal of the Year Dr. Jason Holt and First Year Teacher of the Year Carina McGee.
The school district’s Giving Even More Winner (GEM), awarded to the District’s top classified employee, will be announced next week.
“This is one of the best days I’ve had in a long time,” stated Superintendent Laurence. “Even when we cannot celebrate these recognitions in the way we normally would, being able to invite the families of our honorees to share in this moment is special.”
“It’s always exciting when we have the opportunity to recognize our teachers, administrators, and staff for the excellent jobs they do every day,” added Superintendent Laurence.
The Teacher of the Year Honor Court, which was announced in July, included Misty McConnell, Rachel Creasy of Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School, John Kucela of North Augusta High School, Heather Logan of Paul Knox Middle School, and Nicole Stansell of Kennedy Middle School.
The Aiken County Public Schools School-Level Teachers of the Year, announced in February, included Angela Aaron (Schofield Middle); Daniel Ball (Aiken County Career & Technology Center); Dr. Laura Bacon (Aiken Intermediate School); Brandi Bibbs (North Aiken Elementary); Cristie Caldwell (Aiken Elementary); Melody Carey-Hutto (Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary); Hope Cline (Hammond Hill Elementary); Katie Craig (Graniteville Elementary); Rachel Creasy (Oakwood-Windsor Elementary); Ashley Demons (Center for Innovative Learning); Michael Dixon (Silver Bluff High); Corey Erskine (Wagener-Salley High); Melissa Ferraro (Gloverville Elementary); Fran Gay (Belvedere Elementary); Tony Hambrick (North Augusta Middle School); Agnes Hamilton (New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School); Jamie Hatchett (South Aiken High); Caroline Hendren (Clearwater Elementary); Lori James (Aiken Scholars Academy); Dee Johnson (Greendale Elementary); John Kucela (North Augusta High School); April Layfield (Millbrook Elementary); Misty Lee (J.D. Lever Elementary); Heather Logan (Paul Knox Middle); Marissa Lynn (East Aiken School of the Arts); Megan Maxwell (Warrenville Elementary); Misty McConnell (Redcliffe Elementary); Iulia Miclaus (Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle); Becky Miller (Jefferson Elementary); Jennifer Minichan (Leavelle McCampbell Middle); Alicia Moody (A.L. Corbett Middle School); Kelly Anne Moore (North Augusta Elementary); Jennifer Randall (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle); Andrea Rexroad (Byrd Elementary); Forough Shahidpour (Aiken High); Monica Smith (Ridge Spring-Monetta High); Nicole Stansell (Kennedy Middle School); Jennifer Starnes (Busbee Elementary); Ashley Summer (Jackson STEM Middle Magnet School); Aretha Tarver (Chukker Creek Elementary); Jonyetta Thomas (Midland Valley High School); and Ashley Watkins (Mossy Creek Elementary).
Thank you to our 2020 Stars of Public Education sponsors, including Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Public Education Partners, SRP Federal Credit Union, Security Federal, Rhodes Graduation Services, H.G. Reynolds Construction, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Hunt Insurance & Retirement Services, Economic Development Partnership, East Aiken School of the Arts PTO, Greendale Elementary School PTO, Aiken High Booster Club, J.D. Lever Elementary School PTO, Busbee Elementary School PTO, Jefferson Elementary School PTO, New Ellenton STEAM Middle Magnet School PTO, Schofield Middle School PTO, Silver Bluff High School PTO, and the Hammond Hill Elementary School PTO.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2020 PR REDCLIFFE TOY WINNER