The NSTOY is a professional service organization made up of outstanding teachers who represent excellence in American education. Each member has previously been state recipient of a Council of Chief State School Officers award as Teacher of the Year.

Mission: NSTOY endeavors to

• Assume a leadership role in the promotion of educational excellence

• Encourage quality education for each individual through quality teaching

• Recognize the excellence and commitment of professional educators

• Promote a positive image of education through public awareness

• Be actively involved in the recruitment of dedicated people into the field of teaching

• Stimulate the professional growth of NSTOY members.

The SC NSTOY Chapter, under the auspices of the CERRA, co-hosts a luncheon annually for the SC Teacher of the Year finalists.  The South Carolina Teacher of the Year program began in 1956 and the honor has been awarded annually since 1965. In the 46-year history of the program, there have been two National Teachers of the Year from South Carolina and 12 honorees National finalists. This list includes all winners:

Leadership is a Journey ​

In spite of the many variances in our pathways as teacher leaders, there are commonalities and lessons to learn from those who have walked these steps ahead of us.

What you will find in this book are words from many of the Veteran State Teachers of the Year. They are offering you their personal definition of teacher leadership based on their expertise and their experiences, and they are sharing their insights and their stories. ​

On Leadership

South Carolina Teachers of the Year

2025 - Braden Wilson - Anderson County School District One
2024 - Renee Atkinson - Horry County School District
2023 - Deion Jamison - SC Public Charter School District
​2022 - Amy Carter - Lexington/Richland School District Five
​2021 - Sarah Gams - Lexington/Richland School District Five
2020 - Chanda Jefferson - Fairfield County School District
2019 - Jeff Maxey - Anderson Three School District
2018 - Erin Fox - Cherokee School District
2017 - Jennifer Wise - Richland One School District
2016 - Suzanne Koty - Sumter School District
2015 - Jennifer Ainsworth - Horry County School District
2014 - Darleen Sutton - Pickens County School District
2013 - Amy McAllister - Florence School District Five
2012 - Patti Tate - Rock Hill School District
2011 - Kelly Nalley - Greenville County School District
2010 - Bryan Coburn - Rock Hill School District Three
2009 - Jenna Hallman - Anderson District Five
2008 - Ann Marie Taylor - Kershaw County School District
2007 - Buffy Murphy -  Lexington/Richland School District Five
2006 - Stephanie Seay - Spartanburg School District Five
2005 - Linda (Cookie) Winburn - Richland School District Two
2004 - Jason S. Fulmer - Aiken School District
2003 - Christi W. McCollum - Richland School District Two
2002 - Traci Young Cooper - Richland School District One
2001 - Christa M. Compton - Richland School District Two
2000 - Mary Hamilton Lostetter - Kershaw County School District
1999 - Nancy Elizabeth (Libby) Baker - Chesterfield School District Fifty
1998 - Christine Fisher - Florence School District One
1997 - Kelly G. McCalla - Greenwood School District Fifty
1996 - Debra H. Templin - Newberry School District
1995 - Cathy S. Scott - Lexington School District One
​1994 - Dodie Burns Magill - Greenville School District
1993 - Dodie Burns Magill - Greenville School District
1992 - Jeanne C. Sink - Charleston School District
1991 - Nancy C. Townsend - Florence School District One
1990 - Maria McAlister Pyles - Greenwood School District Fifty
1989 - Carolyn T. Ross - Oconee School District
1988 - Angela B. Burkhalter - Aiken School District
1987 - Beverly Varnado - Charleston School District
1986 - Charles H. Long, Jr. - Charleston School District
1985 - Therese (Terry) Dozier - Lexington School District Five
1984 - Fanya C. Paouris - Greenville School District