Two Simpsonville Teachers Vie for Teacher of the Year Honor

Two Simpsonville teachers — one from Bethel Elementary, the other from Bryson Middle — are vying to be named top teacher in Greenville County.

The district's Teacher of the Year will be named later this month.

Kim Phillips, a Special Education Resource teacher at Bethel, has 12 years' experience. Phillips holds a bachelor's in Elementary Education from Clemson University.

Clint Nalley, a 7th-grade Science teacher at Bryson Middle, has six years' experience. He holds a bachelor's in Biology from University of South Carolina Upstate, and a master's in Forest Resources from Wake Forest University.

The process of selecting the ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teacher of the Year.  These teachers submitted applications which addressed their educational history and professional development, a professional biography, community involvement, philosophy of teaching, education issues and trends, the teaching profession, and a personal message to educators and the general public. 

Applications were reviewed by a Screening Committee and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will choose the next Teacher of the Year after participating in classroom observations and individual interviews with the ten finalists. 

The members of the Selection Committee are Dr. Temi Bidjerano, Furman University; Mrs. Margie Crowley, former Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year; Mr. Herb Johnson, Michelin North America; Dr. Betty McConaghy, retired school administrator; and Mr. Tobin Wolverton, The Rotary Club of Greenville.