Home News 2019-2020 District Teacher of the Year finalists announced

2019-2020 District Teacher of the Year finalists announced

3/26/2019

Richland School District Two announced the five finalists for 2019-2020 district Teacher of the Year. The finalists and their schools are Jennifer Bull, Longleaf Middle; Andrew Chambers, Richland Northeast High; Agnes Knox, Ridge View High; Clara Nance, Polo Road Elementary; and Missi Paschoal, Round Top Elementary.

“These teachers all arrived at education differently but realized that it was their path and calling,” said Richland Two Superintendent Baron R. Davis. “And now each strives to help their students realize their own talents and navigate their path to purpose. They represent the power of education and what we strive for every day in Richland Two.”

Jennifer Bull teaches dance and theater at Longleaf Middle School. Bull recognized her love for children and teaching early. As a rookie teacher, she started dance programs at two lowcountry high schools. Bull is a co-creator of Movement Opportunities for Very Exceptional Students (MOVES), a community dance class (in partnership with Columbia College and Very Special Arts) for children with disabilities. She also co-developed Arts Leadership, where students in special education are partnered with typically developing peers. Her classroom is a place where students of all learning abilities can learn and use their creative voices in the arts.

Andrew Chambers is the Convergence Media magnet director at Richland Northeast High School. Education wasn’t Chambers’ childhood dream but after taking Teacher Cadets in high school, it became his path. As a broadcast journalism teacher, he helps his students to use the camera to tell high quality stories. His passion has allowed him to build nationally recognized programs at two different schools. The key, he says, is equal amounts of compassion and adherence to high standards. Chambers often reminds his students that they don’t produce work to win awards; they produce award winning work.

Agnes Knox teaches math at Ridge View High School. She decided to become a teacher in elementary school and began deciding the traits she wanted to share with students. Today, she is a creative, compassionate and dedicated teacher. She helps her students navigate significant life challenges all the while encouraging academic excellence. As a co-chair of the Black History Month activities, she was part of the decision to design the assembly around student talent. After a successful Black History Month Cypher, applications to fine arts programs soared. She is also a co-creator of the Scholarship Bowl.

Clara Nance is a second grade teacher at Polo Road Elementary School. She seeks to instill in students a sense of self respect, responsibility and connection with their local community. She serves as the lead coach of the Run Hard and the Girls on the Run (GOTR) programs at Polo Road. Last year, the school and its GOTR were recognized on the SC Senate floor by Senator Katrina Shealy for their tenacity, generosity and team spirit. Nance also has a passion for nurturing future generations of teachers. Like all first year Richland Two teachers, she was paired with a mentor whose help she describes as invaluable. The experience inspired her to become a mentor teacher, which she says is her greatest contribution to the field.

Missi Paschoal teaches second grade at Round Top Elementary. She has served in a variety of settings over the course of her 19 years career in education, including self-contained special education and single gender classrooms as well as a middle school. She has also served as a mentor educator. She looks forward to those occasions when former students surprise her 11 years later to tell her how special she made them feel as their first grade teacher and to personally invite her to graduation.

Teacher of the Year will be announced during the annual Teacher of the Year banquet May 9, 2019 at R2i2 Conference Center.