One of Lexington County School District 3’s teachers has a new title.

Lexington 3’s English language arts and social studies teacher Siniqua Mays was named the district's 2023 Teacher of the Year during a special banquet Sept. 19 and will go on to represent the district in the South Carolina Teacher of the Year competition.

Mays has been a teacher for eight years and teaches fifth grade at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School.

“My ‘why’ is to make a difference in my students so they can make a difference in the world,” Mays is quoted in a release. “Knowing that I am helping shape, change, and nurture the future generations is exceptionally rewarding.”

Outside of the classroom Mays and her husband, Marion, are kept busy by their three children- Trace (4), Cree (2) and Brooklyn (five months).

Mays holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina Aiken, in 2018 she earned a master’s in reading from Grand Canyon University and a year later earned a master’s in English as a second language from the same university.

According to a press release, May was one of four teachers vying for the title. Other finalists included Gracyn Livingston from Batesburg-Leesville Primary School, Jennifer Connelly from Batesburg-Leesville Middle School and Alex Richardson from Batesburg-Leesville High School.

All four finalists walked away with prizes at a Sept. 19 banquet, where the winner was announced.