Richland Two Teacher Named Finalist for State Teacher of the Year

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver surprised Blythewood High School's Will Epps today with news that he has been selected as one of five finalists for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award. Epps is a Chemistry teacher at Blythewood High School in Richland School District Two. As an alumnus of Blythewood High, his teachers had a transformative impact on his future.

As one of five finalists, Epps will receive $10,000 and go on to the next stage of the competition which involves an interview with a team of expert judges. The winner will be announced at the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Celebration on April 25th in Columbia.

The winner receives a total of $25,000 and is provided with a brand-new BMW to use while serving for one year as a roving ambassador providing mentoring, attending speaking engagements, working with Teacher Cadets and Teaching Fellows, leading the State Teacher Forum, and serving as the state spokesperson for over 64,000 educators.

The Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on the district, state, and national levels. The Teacher of the Year Awards not only assist in retention efforts but serve as a powerful recruitment tool to the educator profession.