Palmetto Middle School Teacher Chosen Top in State

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Palmetto Middle School Teacher Braden Wilson was chosen South Carolina Teacher of the Year on Thursday at a ceremony in Columbia.

The Anderson School District One eighth-grade social studies teacher, who has been teaching for 10 years, will receive $25,000, use of a new BMW for one year, and professional development opportunities.

“Braden’s infectious passion for making history come alive for her eighth graders at Palmetto Middle School is truly inspiring,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver presented Wilson with the award. “We are thrilled to celebrate her dedication to developing the next generation of civic-literate South Carolinians and look forward to the impact Braden will make as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year.”

Wilson is a graduate of Anderson University, where she also earned a Master’s degree in Administration. Wilson also earned a Master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University.

Wilson was one of five finalists in the state’s Teacher of the Year contest from the Upstate. Four of the candidates were from the Upstate.

The South Carolina Teacher of the Year serves for one school 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 award, sponsored by the Bojangles Foundation, has supported South Carolina's Teacher of the Year for 16 years, providing each district teacher of the year with books for their classroom each year.
The South Carolina Teacher of the Year serves for one school 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.