As she's about to finish her first "official" year of teaching, Lyman Elementary School teacher Paige Campbell has about two dozen smiling faces she could count as "proof" of a successful first year in the classroom. Today, she learned of one more reason to be proud. The first grade teacher learned she's just been named Spartanburg District Five's 2023-24 Induction Teacher of the Year! Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary delivered the news in a surprise visit to Campbell's classroom Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell, a graduate of North Greenville University, is one of 35 induction, or first year teachers, who joined the District Five family for the 2023-24 school year. She, along with three other finalists for Induction Teacher of the Year, was nominated by her Principal and mentor teacher for the honor.
"Mrs. Campbell embodies all the characteristics of a future master teacher," said Principal Jarette Pendergrass in his nomination. "She is kind, patient, reflective, passionate, collaborative, and consistently strives to improve her craft. She has a student first mentality, and leads her classroom from a place of respect and compassion."
As District Five's Induction Teacher of the Year, Campbell will now be up for the SC Induction Teacher of the Year award, given annually by the South Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Congratulations to Paige Campbell!