Florence School District 3 names teacher, principal of the year

LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) — A Main Street Elementary teacher is Florence School District 3’s 2024-25 teacher of the year, officials announced on Tuesday.

Ericka Bennett-Bell, an instructional coach, will represent the district in South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year competition.

Bennett-Bell has been with the district for eight years.

Britney Nobles, a fifth and sixth grade gifted and talented teacher at Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy, was first runner-up and Macy Poston, a second grade teacher at J. C. Lynch Elementary School, was second runner-up.

Mary Howard, director of early and elementary education, was named district-level administrator of the year. Tonyelle Thomas, director of student academic support, GT and the arts, was first runner-up and Ned Blake, director of secondary education, was second runner-up

Charm Eaddy, principal of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High, was named FSD3 Principal of the Year, while T.J. DeVine, principal of J.C. Lynch Elementary, was runner-up.

Kristi Anderson, an assistant principal at J.C. Lynch Elementary School, was selected Assistant Principal of the Year. Bridget Fleming, assistant principal at Main Street Elementary School, was first runner-up and Jacob Gillard, assistant principal at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School was second runner-up.

Jerry State, an student transition specialist at Panther Academy, was named Classified Staff of the Year. Tanisha Lancaster, an academic interventionist assistant at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, was first runner-up and Angela Dyson, cafeteria manager at Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy, was second runner-up.

Other employees of the year were:

·        Bus Driver of the Year – Hattie McElveen

·        Clerical Staff of the Year – Tracy Hannah (Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet)

·        Custodian/Maintenance of the Year – Leon Whack (Lake City High)

·        Food Service Staff of the Year – Angela Dyson (Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy)

·        Health Services Staff of the Year – Tanya Webster (Main Street Elementary)

·        Classified Instructional Staff of the Year – Jessalynn Sauls (J.C. Lynch Elementary)

·        Instructional Support Staff of the Year – Jerry State (Panther Academy)

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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