Edgefield County School District has recently announced a middle school art teacher as the winner of the 2023-24 Teacher of the Year award.
Celebrated among many other Teachers of the Year, Avis Tuttle Jordan, who teaches at Johnston-Trenton-Edgefield (J-E-T) Middle School, has been awarded the prestigious role of representing educators in Edgefield County for the following academic year.
Alongside Jordan’s success, the county also announced lead custodian at Strom Thurmond High School, James Mathis, as Support Staff of the Year.
“We are extremely proud of our teacher of the year and support staff of the year winners and all of our honorees,” stated ECSD Superintendent, Dr. Kevin O’Gorman. “We appreciate each one of them and all of our school district teachers and support staff. We could not serve and support our students and families without their dedication and professionalism.”
Additional 2023-24 Teachers of the Year include: Merriwether Elementary School third-grade teacher, Janie Bass, W.E. Parker Elementary School second-grade teacher, Jessia Coleman, Strom Thurmond High School chemistry teacher, Amy Hardy, Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center sports medicine instructor, Shelby Faust Gilliam and Douglas Elementary School media specialist and inquiry teacher, Shannon Petty.
Other highlighted staff included Ida Bryant, who was named Bus Driver of the Year for the district, and Cherret Brooks, who was announced District Office Support Staff of the Year.
More recognized Support Staff of the Year included: Johnston Elementary School food service staff member, Karen Bledsoe, Douglas Elementary School paraprofessional, Dorothy Brooks, Merriwether Middle School bookkeeper, Shamala Collier; J-E-T Middle School administrative assistant, Erica Curry, Merriwether Elementary School head custodian, Gregory Harris, W.E. Parker Elementary School attendance clerk, Lisa Pedersen and Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center custodian, Rannah Wood.
Strom Thurmond High School has also announced Shenique Muldrow as this year’s Homecoming Queen.
Muldrow, daughter of Sheena Dean and Desmond Johnson, currently serves as her school’s Student Council President, and participates in Strom Thurmond sports as a member of the basketball, volleyball and track teams.
She plans to attend North Greenville University to major in Psychology, while also pursuing a position in the Army Reserves.
Muldrow’s first runner-up and second runner-up was Haley Gilliam and Makayla Rishton. The Homecoming Court also featured Elizabeth Holmes, Halynn Smith, Destiny Walker and Mollie Wise.
