A Note From Ms. Self:
Thank you for the privilege of representing our school this year. It is truly an honor and a blessing to work alongside so many wonderful teachers and administrators whose main goal each year is to work together with parents as a team to support the students in our school.
I love teaching children! I have taught a variety of ages in my 32 years of teaching, from K4 to middle school special education. One cool fact: I taught Mrs. Woods, our 7th grade counselor when she was in K4! I saw another former K4 student in our Northwest library! She is now in 7th grade! How awesome is that?! It truly is a small world. No matter what age I teach, one character trait I always try to emphasize with my students is Respect. Our goal as educators is not only to teach students so they can succeed to their highest potential, but also to help them grow in maturity, taking responsibility, and having respect—respect for themselves and giving respect to others.
I believe respect begins with respecting ourselves. I often tell my students that, at the end of the day, I want to be able to look back at my words and actions and know that I did a good job. If I can do that, then I can respect myself. If not, then I have some work to do.
When we learn to respect ourselves, we are better able to respect others. When I give myself respect, I can, in turn, give others the gift of respect—a gift that may make a difference not only in their day, but perhaps even in their life. Kindness and respect often go hand in hand, and they cost us nothing.
Over the years, I have learned that success does not always look the same for every child—but every child deserves someone who believes in them and treats them with kindness and respect.
As a Special Education teacher, this message is especially meaningful to me. I want my students to be seen first as people—with gifts, abilities, dreams, and something valuable to contribute. I want others to recognize their strengths and provide opportunities for them to be included and feel that they belong. Inclusion begins when we choose to see the value in every person and believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to belong.
Respect and inclusion simply mean giving everyone a chance. It means believing in others, seeing beyond limitations, and understanding that every person deserves to feel valued and included.
Respect for others begins with respect for ourselves. When we make that choice, we help build a community where people feel supported, valued, and accepted. When we teach our students to respect themselves and others, we are helping them become confident, capable, and caring citizens for the future.
Respect may be one of the simplest gifts we can give, but its impact can last far beyond a single moment. Every day, in our classrooms, hallways, and homes, we have the opportunity to make someone feel seen, valued, included, and worthy. And perhaps that is one of the most important lessons we can ever teach.
| 2025-2026 | Leonardo Sanchez | Top 10 Finalist |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Lisa Brundridge | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2023-2024 | Caroline Creel | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2022-2023 | Michelle Stein | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2021-2022 | Derrick Epps | |
| 2020-2021 | Ellen Green | |
| 2019-2020 | Debra Whatley | |
| 2018-2019 | Tariq Caudle | |
| 2017-2018 | Hillary Huskey | |
| 2016-2017 | Krissy Black | |
| 2015-2016 | Keri Reaney | |
| 2014-2015 | Jake Mitchell | |
| 2013-2014 | Anne Kelsey-Zibert | Greenville County Teacher of the Year |
| 2012-2013 | Kathi Christy | |
| 2011-2012 | Jeff Edwards | |
| 2010-2011 | David Deighton | |
| 2009-2010 | Bobby Powell | |
| 2008-2009 | Susan McCoy | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2007-2008 | Lisa Brundridge | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2006-2007 | Leah Simpson | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2005-2006 | Betsy Smith | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2004-2005 | Sandy Bailey | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2003-2004 | Janet Atkins | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2002-2003 | Lynn Taylor | |
| 2001-2002 | Suzanne Glattli | |
| 2000-2001 | Mary Linder | |
| 1999-2000 | Lynn Laws | |
| 1998-1999 | Curt Matthews | |
| 1997-1998 | Teresa Blankenship | |
| 1996-1997 | Kyndal Gravely | |
| 1995-1996 | Lynn Duncan | Top 10 Finalist |
| 1994-1995 | Debra Glenn | |
| 1993-1994 | Nell Miller | |
| 1992-1993 | Shannon Pratt | |
| 1991-1992 | Walt Cottingham | |
| 1990-1991 | Marcia DuRant | |
| 1989-1990 | Ginger Penick | |
| 1988-1989 | Janell Puckett | |
| 1987-1988 | Daisy Green | |
| 1986-1987 | Nell Miller | |
| 1985-1986 | Walt Cottingham | |
| 1984-1985 | Sandy Mitchell | |
| 1983-1984 | Janell Puckett | |
| 1982-1983 | Nelle Cox | |
| 1981-1982 | ||
| 1980-1981 | Mary Ellen Guest | |
| 1979-1980 | Vickie Ince | |
| 1978-1979 | Sidney Skardon | |
| 1977-1978 | Bob Powell | |
| 1976-1977 | Brenda Deener | |
| 1975-1976 | Marc Craig | |
| 1974-1975 | Mardie Fillippeli | |
| 1973-1974 | Rosa Smith |
