IRMO – Spring Hill High School teacher Rebekah Gilliam has been named a finalist for the Jessie Williams Little “Leading the Way” Award for outstanding mentorship.
This statewide award was established in honor of Jessie Little, a Winthrop University alum, former faculty member, and veteran teacher, as a recognition of the critical role mentors play in going above and beyond to support preservice and new teachers.
Gilliam was one of eight people named a finalist for the award. While only one winner is named, three finalists receive Distinguished Achievement, four receive Honorable Mention. She was nominated for the award by Chapin High School English Teacher Sara Kimberlin.
“I am honored that Sara Kimberlin nominated me and was generous enough to think of a colleague from another school and complete the application for this award on my behalf,” Gilliam said. “I am convinced that working in School District Five has grown my career because of the caliber of educators surrounding me, and I am convinced that we reach higher achievements because the educators in our district expect the best of themselves for the benefit of their students, which encourages all educators around them to improve their practice. I am so excited to receive an award for encouraging students to pursue this incredible profession, but I am aware that I am one of many teachers in our district who are continually moving the profession forward.”
This is Gilliam’s fifteenth year teaching and her eleventh year teaching at Spring Hill High School. She is the English Department Chair and teaches AP Literature and Composition, Teacher Cadet, English 2 Honors, and English 2 College Placement. She is also a sponsor of the newspaper club and the book club at Spring Hill High School.
Mentor teachers play an important role in the Teacher Education Program at Winthrop University as well as in the South Carolina ADEPT process for first-year teachers.
There are a variety of public school teachers who fill the role of a mentor. To be considered for this award, teachers must be a formal mentor to beginning or veteran teachers, be a mentor teacher for pre-service teacher candidates in field experiences and/or student teaching, or be a teacher cadet instructor. Nominees must have been in the classroom for at least three years.
This award is a partnership between the Littles and the James and Susan Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnership. Gilliam received $1,000 for being named a Distinguished Achievement winner.
