Serving as Lexington 4 District Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020 has truly been an experience I will never forget.

What a blessing to be given the opportunity to represent some of the greatest teachers I have ever met, to be their “voice” and to serve as an ambassador for our great school district.

This year brought me many opportunities which I am extremely grateful for.

I served on Teacher Cabinet & Forum, attended State Teacher Forums hosted by CERRA (Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention & Advancement) and served as a judge for Teaching Fellows Scholarship interviews, where high school seniors interested in becoming teachers can apply and interview.

I also served as a judge for the Clover County District Teacher of the Year interviews.

Along with several current and former Lexington 4 district and school teachers of the year (TOYs), we began what a new tradition.

We created the 1st Lexington 4 Teacher of the Year Past and Present Christmas Parade Float.

I learned so much from speaking with teachers and legislators across the state.

More than anything else, I fell in love with Servant Leadership.

The servant-leader is a servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.

One of the responsibilities that comes along with being TOY is hosting the End of the Year Ceremony which usually takes place in June.

I was to be the 1st TOY to host the annual ceremony in-the brand new SHS Fine Arts Center. Those who know me joked with me about the “glitz and glam” I would want to bring to the program.

I was also looking forward to the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Gala that would be held May 5, 2020.

This is a formal event where all the District TOYS in SC are honored and requires formal wear.

If you know me at all, you know how excited I was to wear an evening gown.

I have been affiliated with pageantry for more than 20 years, so of course I spent months picking out the perfect gown for the Gala.

And then came covid.

Next: The world keeps turning