Spearman Announces Fifth Finalist for Teacher of the Year

State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the fifth finalist for South Carolina’s prestigious Teacher of the Year award during a visit to Spartanburg County District Two.

“I’m so pleased to announce the fifth educator competing for this year’s Teacher of the Year award is Hunter Jolley, from Boiling Springs High School,” said Spearman. “Hunter represents the best of his profession and I am excited for his family and school community.”

Jolley teaches science to students in grades 10 to 12. Inspired by the academic and emotional support of his own teachers, he entered the classroom to make an impact on the lives of young people. He has received multiple awards and was most recently nominated for the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science.

As a finalist, Jolley is in the running for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, which comes with a grand prize of $25,000 and a new BMW to drive for a year. The four remaining finalists will each receive a check for $10,000. All 82 school districts select a district teacher of the year, and the five finalists are selected from this pool.

Jolley will represent Spartanburg County District Two at the 50th anniversary of the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Celebration on Wednesday, April 22 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The annual celebration is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina Future Minds, the nonprofit organization that connects private support to South Carolina’s public schools. For tickets and more information, visit the South Carolina Future Minds Teacher of the Year Web page here.