Lamar-Spaulding’s White named DCSD District Teacher of the Year
Gabriel “Briel” White (left), a kindergarten teacher at Lamar-Spaulding Elementary School and the Darlington County School District’s 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year, receives her awards from Dr. Tim Newman (right), District Superintendent. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Gabriel “Briel” White, a kindergarten teacher at Lamar-Spaulding Elementary School, is the Darlington County School District’s (DCSD) 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman announced the prestigious selection during the district’s Back-to-School Convocation on Tuesday, July 25.
“Ms. White exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional educator,” Newman said. “The care and compassion she has for her students is obvious in her classroom mantra: ‘I am amazing. I am smart. I am kind. I can do hard things. I am loved.’ I congratulate her on being honored as the District Teacher of the Year.”
During her acceptance speech, White said, “I’m shocked and honored and blessed to receive this honor and be able to represent a school district that made me who I am. I am a product of the Darlington County School District, all the way from Southside Early Childhood Center to Hartsville High School. And I know, both as a student and an educator working here, that everyone watching now cares about our students and does what’s best for those students every single day. It’s a blessing to know I am a part of it and an honor to represent such amazing people.”
During the convocation, the district also celebrated the Honor Roll Teachers for 2023-24, who were the finalists for District Teacher of the Year, as well as all of the School Teachers of the Year.
The Honor Roll Teachers are:
Shelia Wright, teacher, first grade, Darlington County Virtual Academy
Jessica Woodson, kindergarten, J.L. Cain Elementary School
Kayanna Thomas, Reading Interventionist, Rosenwald Elementary School
Kim Bonnoitt, Reading Recovery, St. John’s Elementary School
The Darlington County Teacher of the Year Program honors and awards those teachers who exceed expectations to provide meaningful and rewarding learning experiences as well as welcoming, safe environments for the students of Darlington County. The program is dedicated to all teachers who work diligently every day.
Teachers and employees at each school nominate their choices for school honorees. Then, in a testament to peer-reviewed excellence, the winners are chosen by vote at each respective school. These teachers truly stand out in their buildings.
All Teachers of the Year will receive a cash award and become members of the DCSD Teacher Forum as well as the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Cabinet. This cabinet provides valuable insight and feedback for the operation of the school district.
The 2023-24 School Teachers of the Year are:
Jacoyzha Brockington, fourth grade teacher, Bay Road Elementary School
Diane Purvis, fourth grade teacher, Brockington Elementary Magnet School
Jessica Farmer, fifth grade teacher, Carolina Elementary School
Antionette Bostic, math teacher, Darlington High School
Fredricka Peterson, sixth grade math teacher, Darlington Middle School
CSM David Lelie, JROTC instructor, Darlington County Intervention School
Tony Donovan, Auto Collision instructor, Darlington County Institute of Technology
Shelia Wright, first grade teacher, Darlington County Virtual Academy
Brandi Cook Gammell, social studies teacher, Hartsville High School
Miranda Horton, social studies teacher, Hartsville Middle School
Jessica Woodson, 5K teacher, J.L. Cain Elementary School
Raquel Power-Barrera, Spanish teacher, Lamar High School
Gabriel “Briel” White, 5K teacher, Lamar-Spaulding Elementary School
Gina Benjamin, Business/Computer Science/Technology teacher, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Grace Lyman, fifth grade teacher, North Hartsville Elementary School
Cindy Glanville, second grade teacher, Pate Elementary School
Kayanna Thomas, Reading Interventionist teacher, Rosenwald Elementary School
Stephanie Hall, Exceptional Education teacher, Southside Early Childhood Center
Matthew McCary, social studies teacher, Spaulding Middle School
Kim Bonnoitt, Reading Recovery teacher, St. John’s Elementary School
Lisa Todd, fifth grade teacher, Thornwell School for the Arts