LCEF, Worthy Lands Trust award $75,000 to McSwain Team Teaching Award winners
February 22, 2024— The Lee County Education Foundation, with support from the Worthy Lands Trust, presented McSwain Team Teacher Awards to 12 outstanding elementary teaching teams Wednesday during a reception and ceremony at W.B. Wicker Elementary School.
Education Foundation board members, Lee County Schools leadership, principals and staff from winning schools celebrated the winning teams, which were recognized for demonstrating exceptional growth and proficiency in their team subject. Each team member — 60 in all, most of whom were in attendance — received a certificate of appreciation and a share in the $75,000 monetary prize for exemplary performance as an educator.
Awards were presented in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade reading, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade math, 5th grade science, as well as kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade mCLASS growth and proficiency.
“The McSwain Awards acknowledge excellence in teacher teams,” said LCEF Chairman Susan Keller. “The winning teams are skilled at collaboration, planning, goal-setting and making learning engaging for their students. The myriad of tools and methods they use every day to move the needle for our students is inspiring, and the LCEF is proud to recognize these elite teams. We are fortunate to have many excellent teachers in Lee County, and the McSwain winners are some of the best.”
“We come together to honor the remarkable achievements of some of our finest educators in the district,” Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach said. “Tonight, we celebrate excellence, dedication and passion for teaching that truly defines the heart of our education community.”
Dossenbach said the “unwavering support” of the Education Foundation and the Worthy Lands Trust Foundation has enabled LCS to “nurture talent, foster innovation, and create transformational learning experiences for our students.”
“To our outstanding teachers,” he said, “I offer my heartfelt congratulations and deepest respect. Your passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence inspires all of us to reach higher, to dream bigger, and to never stop believing in the power of education to change lives.”
LCEF founding member Dennis Wicker also spoke, recognizing the success and the excellence of the winning teams and thanking them for their accomplishments. Keller and Foundation President Vicki Haislip presented certificates and a monetary reward.
“As a career educator with Lee County Schools, it is always an honor to recognize educators,” Haislip said. “The Lee County Education Foundation greatly appreciates The McSwain Foundation/Worthy Lands Trust for their support of this award, and enabling us to reward this special group of teachers from six of our elementary schools, for their dedication, passion, and commitment. All of which these teachers and their administrators exemplify on a daily basis.”
Eighteen of the winners shared in the inaugural McSwain Team Teaching awards given just over a year ago.
Winning teams will each have the opportunity to create a short video outlining strategies they used that contributed to their successful year. These videos will then be accessible to all teachers, so the effective strategies are shared and can be utilized by many teachers to benefit more students.
“LCEF is incredibly grateful for the support of the Worthy Land Trust,” Keller said. “Their partnership has allowed us to expand our impact and help elevate the performance of our students.”
The Worthy Lands Trust has partnered with the Foundation over the last three years by providing more than $200,000 in grant funding to benefit each of Lee County’s elementary, middle and high schools, plus Lee Early College.
The Lee County Education Foundation’s vision is to help create an outstanding public school system that graduates students well prepared for the 21st century workplace and success in life. LCEF has provided more than $1 million in financial support to Lee County Schools since its inception in 2003
The winning teams (* denotes previous winners):
3rd Grade Reading
W. B. Wicker
Theicia Allen
Anna Edwards
Christina Maples
Eliza Spruiell
Carrie Summers EC
Natalie Johnson EC
4th Grade Reading
W. B. Wicker
Brittany Babb
Somer Lee
Ryan Stutts
Tabitha Williamson
Kevin Alston EC
5th Grade Reading
Greenwood
*Jennifer Caywood
Eric Doiron
*Ellice Gullett
Jessica Hill
Charlotte Hoffler EC
3rd Grade Math (3-Way Tie)
Greenwood
Candice Bloedorn
Savannah Oldham
Jasmine Chick
Airelle DeLeon
Cindy Currin EC
Deep River
*Shanna Bailey
Olivia Burns
*Nancy Cotton
Tanya Neal
*Cesaleigh Pena
Tramway
Melanie Altman
Morgan Akers
Melanie Hawes
Amanda Holmes
April Richardson
Cassidy Hladky EC
4th Grade Math
Greenwood
Brittany Griffin
*Jackie Roberts
*Stephanie Wilson
Cindy Currin EC
*Charlotte Hoffler EC
*Tanya Charron EC
5th Grade Math
Deep River
Morgan Brinkley
Brandon Morehouse
*Laura Thomas
*Laura Maultsby
Kathryn Bullard EC
5th Science
Edwards
*Dee O'Neal
K Reading (mCLASS)
Bullock
Davis Tatum
*Kim Boggs
*Adriana Del Castillo
*Alicia Mays
*Sarah Horner
Danielle Potts
1st Grade Reading (mCLASS)
Greenwood
Brittany Fountain
*Misty Brown
Casey Lovick
*Madison Potter
*Elizabeth Olive
Krista Weldon
2nd Grade Reading (mCLASS)
Bullock
Angela Brigham Suits
Dawn Shepard
Hannah Thomas
Ronda Yarborough