Amy Carter, an English teacher at Chapin High School in School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, is the 2022 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Carter was named the SC Teacher of the Year by State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman at the state education gala Thursday night. Carter is the wife of West Columbia City Administrator Brian Carter.

“Amy’s leadership in and outside her classroom , and dedication to her students have uniquely qualified her for this prestigious honor,” said Superintendent Spearman. “I look forward to seeing her represent South Carolina’s over 55,000 teachers as she advocates for the profession over the next year.”

In her 21st year of teaching English to high school students, Amy has always sought to combine language and writing of authors and students with the powerful collaboration tools that technology offers. Amy’s teaching philosophy comes from Marianne Williamson’s urging to, “Let your light shine so that others may be granted permission to do the same.” 

She uses literature as a basis for genuine connection with students of all ability levels ranging from grades 9-12 and uses that rapport to help them become readers, writers, and storytellers in their own right. With her most recent professional investment in the school’s Teacher Cadet program, Amy hopes to make an even greater impact as an advocate for public education by inspiring hopeful future educators that may one day become our colleagues.

As part of the state Teacher of the Year awards program, Amy will receive $25,000 and a brand new BMW for one year. 

Considered one of the country’s strongest, the South Carolina Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on a district, state, and national level. These awards not only assist in retention efforts but serve as a powerful recruitment tool.

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 55,000 educators. Learn more about the Teacher of the Year program.