The outpouring of love didn’t stop with senior celebrations.

The giving hearts at Sardis Baptist and Swansea Baptist churches delivered food to families in need during quarantine.

Teachers and community members were able to help Spanish-speaking families navigate the chromebook work and explain how to locate student assignments.

The greatest moments truly happened unexpectedly.

The community of lexington 4 came together in a mighty way and we proved to be #Lexington4Strong.

The Food Service workers and Transportation Department were the real MVP’s throughout quarantine.

They worked tirelessly to serve the students in our community breakfast and lunch daily.

To say “thank you,” several teachers hosted a luncheon for our Transportation and Food Service heroes. We had enough door prizes donated for each attendee to receive a gift.

It was a blessing to let them know how much they are respected, loved and appreciated.

Sadly for me, the SC Teacher of the Year Gala was cancelled and as of now has not been rescheduled.

My gala gown still hangs in the closet.

Lexington 4 had to cancel the end of the year ceremony, and while I won’t be the first teacher of the year (TOY) to host our end of the year ceremony in the new Fine Arts Center, I am forever grateful for the opportunities to serve the wonderful Lexington 4 Community.

My TOY journey was different than others, but the moments I spent serving others are bigger than any gala or event I could ever imagine.

I would like to give special thanks to the following people:

Dr. Robert Maddox, thank you for always believing in me and allowing me to learn from you.

You lead by example and while you may never realize it, your return to Lexington 4 has brought so much hope to our community, especially to the faculty and staff of Lexington 4.

To the Lexington 4 School Board: Quincy Sutton, Daniel Martin, Brad Frick, Donna Goodwin, Zack Smith, and Lynn Fallaw: Thank you for all of your support this year and for all you do for the students and teachers of Lexington 4. I was blessed to have your support this year.

To my teacher tribe, (you know who you are) but especially to Becky Zeigler and Serenity Martin, thank you for always being there to listen to my ideas and for helping many of them come to life. I love you both!

To my husband Bert and my daughter Chapel-Anne, thank you for always sharing me with my students and for your big love throughout this past year.

Since I am originally from the Upstate of SC, where I taught for 7 years, people will often ask me, “Do you think you will ever go back home and teach again?”

My response is always the same.

I am home, and I plan to stay.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Lexington 4 District Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020.

This town is a special place, and I have no doubt the best is yet to come.