Three Lexington-Richland Schools District Five educators have been inducted into Newberry College’s Hall of Master Teachers.
The society’s awards recognize graduates of Newberry College for exemplary dedication, service and excellence in the field of education. Each year, honorees are selected for five awards, each recognizing a different area of distinction: new, veteran, and retired classroom teachers, an educator who works outside the classroom, and a hero of diversity.
Hannah Carnes ’18 was honored with the New Classroom Teacher Award, which recognizes teachers in their first five years. Carnes teaches English at Spring Hill High School and advises the school’s chapter of the National Beta Club.
“The Spring Hill family celebrates Ms. Carnes for this amazing accomplishment,” Spring Hill High School Principal Dr. Michael Lofton said. “Hannah Carnes is truly dedicated to her craft, her students and her peers. In the five years that she has been an English teacher, we have watched her grow into a confident, energetic, student-centered, always willing to go the extra mile teacher. We are grateful that she has chosen to be a part of our Spring Hill family and we look forward to the many great things that she will do in her teaching career.”
A National Board-certified educator with 38 years’ experience, Kim Taylor ’85 was presented with the Veteran Classroom Teacher Award. Taylor currently teaches third grade at Lake Murray Elementary School. Her dedication to excellence has earned her multiple honors along the way, including that as the first African American to be named Teacher of the Year for School District Five.
“Ms. Taylor’s passion and advocacy for educating children grows each year,” Lake Murray Elementary School Principal Kelly Reese said. “She is purposeful, active, and innovative with her delivery of instruction, engagement of students, and relationships with staff and parents. She strives to help ALL children be successful, not just those in her classroom. We are thankful for the impact she makes at Lake Murray Elementary.”
Dr. Reggie Wicker ’04, director of personnel for School District Five, was presented with the Nancy Lou Anderson Glasgow Diversity Warrior Award. Wicker entered the classroom after Newberry College, teaching fourth grade at Newberry Elementary. He soon moved into administration, becoming assistant administrator in 2007 before being named principal in 2011. He has also worked extensively with Call Me MISTER, an intercollegiate program designed to recruit and retain male elementary school teachers from diverse backgrounds. He established and led the program at Newberry College in 2010, and he currently assists the cohort at Columbia College.
###
Photo Credit: L-R: Dr. Reggie Wicker, Kim Taylor, Hannah Carnes
