2026 Teacher of the Year Celebration
It was an incredible night to uplift and celebrate our amazing DDTwo educators! A special congratulations to the 2026 District Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Bender from RISE Academy.
Thank you to the friends, family, administrators, and the community for supporting our teachers. We also extend our gratitude to our business partners:
- Carriage Works
- Fancy Trimmins
- Four Green Fields Summerville
- Summerville Chamber of Commerce
- JAG Medical Spa
- Louise
- Nico Romo Hospitality Group
- Forte Jazz Lounge
- Summerville Family YMCA
2026 District Teacher of the Year
- Kimberly Bender – RISE Academy
2026 Honor Rookie Teachers of the Year
- Ashtyn Hock – Alston Middle School
- Gracelyn Kuskey – Beech Hill Elementary
- Emilie Luscomb – East Edisto Middle School
- Ashley “Erin” Parker – Joseph R. Pye Elementary School
2026 District Honor Teachers of the Year
- BJ Bellush – Ashley Ridge High School
- Christina Fortner – Beech Hill Elementary
- Kimberly Bender – RISE Academy
- Megan Morgan – Summerville Elementary
- Jenny Cooper – William M. Reeves Jr. Elementary School
2026 School-Level Teachers of the Year
| School / Department | Teacher |
|---|---|
| Dorchester County Adult Education | Kevin Burke |
| Alston-Bailey Elementary School | Kristen Barrett |
| Alston Middle School | Jennifer Santmyer |
| Ashley Ridge High School | Bernard (BJ) Bellush |
| Beech Hill Elementary | Chrissy Fortner |
| Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary School | Jaylyn Irving |
| DuBose Middle School | Audrey Phillips |
| Eagle Nest Elementary School | Margurite Vidakovich |
| East Edisto Middle School | Cassidy Harris |
| Flowertown Elementary School | Marilyn McNally |
| Fort Dorchester Elementary School | Andrew Kephart |
| Fort Dorchester High School | Janel Raquet |
| Gregg Middle School | Brenna Bourgeois |
| Joseph R. Pye Elementary School | Emily Peidl |
| Knightsville Elementary School | Amanda Chacon |
| Newington Elementary School | Vanessa Mijango |
| Oakbrook Elementary | Jennifer Arkley |
| Oakbrook Middle School | Chalcie Parsons |
| RISE Academy | Kimberly Bender |
| River Oaks Middle | Maria Barnes |
| Rollings Middle School of the Arts | Alison VanArsdalen |
| Sand Hill Elementary School | Kimberly Gerhardt |
| Spann Elementary School | Jessica Parler |
| Summerville Elementary | Megan Morgan |
| Summerville High School | Julie Sammartano |
| William M. Reeves Jr. Elementary School | Jenny Cooper |
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary School | Jennifer Dunfee |
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