Media Release - Anderson County School District 4

Media Release
Dr. Joanne Avery
Deputy Superintendent
Anderson School District Four
864-403-2002
August 14, 2012
Mt. Lebanon’s Melida Reeves is Named District Teacher of the Year
Pendleton – Mount Lebanon Elementary School's Melida Reeves has been named
Anderson School District Four's 2012-13 District Teacher of the Year.
Announcement of Ms. Reeve‟s selection was made during Anderson Four's opening
day festivities at Pendleton High School today, August 14, 2012.
As the district winner, Ms. Reeves will compete for 2013-14 state honors to be
announced in April 2013. This year's state winner will receive $25,000 and the use of
a BMW Roadster for one year. Three state finalists will also be recognized and
awarded $10,000 each, with all district winners receiving a $1,000 award.
“Melida is an outstanding representative for Anderson School District Four,” said Lee
D‟Andrea, superintendent. “I had the opportunity to attend a curriculum and
instruction conference with her last spring and know firsthand she is an eager and
dedicated teacher. She has a commitment to excellence in education and a passion
for students. Her experiences in law enforcement expand her understanding of
human behavior. When you have served your community as a teacher and a police
officer, you have truly „given back.‟”
After working in law enforcement in the road patrol division as well as serving as a
school resource officer, Ms. Reeves completed her education to become a teacher.
Her first position was at Starr Elementary School where she taught 1st grade for
three years. In 2008, she accepted a position at Mount Lebanon Elementary School
where she has taught 1st and 3rd grades and starting this year, she will serve as the
Engineering Lab teacher.
“Children are like clay that can be shaped and molded easily which make teaching a
huge responsibility,” said Ms. Reeves. “You have to be careful to push in just the
right places, smooth over the rough edges, fill in the holes to make it sold, be firm yet
gentle in your touch, and through warmth and careful molding, you get a beautiful
finished piece. It is with this philosophy that I approach teaching and the manner
from which I base my classroom structure.”
Ms. Reeves earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the
University of South Carolina, her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood from
Southern Wesleyan University, and her Master‟s Degree in Educational
Administration and Supervision from Grand Canyon University. Currently, she is
working on her Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon
University. In addition, she had received ADEPT peer evaluator and mentor training.

“Law enforcement was a vicious cycle of arresting the same people over and over
again,” said Ms. Reeves, “with a slim chance of ever actually being able to make a
positive difference in someone‟s life.” “Teaching on the other hand, provides me with
the opportunity to make a difference and to help on a daily basis. And just like the
story of the little boy saving the starfish on the beach, I want to be that teacher that
makes a difference …one student at a time.”
Ms. Reeves received the Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2011, the
Professional Learning Community Award in 2011, the 3rd Grade Team Award in
2010, and the PASS Excellence Award in 2009. She serves at the Student Council
Sponsor, chairs the Engineering Committee, served on the Superintendent‟s Council,
and has supervised several student teachers from surrounding universities. In
addition, she has led multiple in-services on grading practices related to common
core standards and LEGO engineering education. She is a member of the
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Council for
the Social Studies, SC Council for the Social Studies, and is a former member of the
National Council of Teachers of Math, Palmetto State Teacher Association, and
SCIRA Foothills Council.
“To enter Melida‟s class is to enter a world of learning fueled by activity, energy,
technology and most of all, a love of students and learning,” said Mona Fleming,
principal at Mount Lebanon Elementary. “Students are encouraged to take risks and
celebrated for even the smallest growth as learners. At the end of last school year, a
student‟s father said to me that if he could select out Teacher of the Year he would
choose Ms. Reeves. He went on to describe how she loves students, looks for ways
to help them learn, and always keeps parents informed. This says it all!”
Teachers selected as their school's Teacher of the Year for 2012-13 include: La
France Elementary: Amy Fobear, 5th Grade Teacher; Mt. Lebanon: Melida Reeves,
Engineering Lab Teacher; Pendleton High: Wendy Brown, English Teacher;
Pendleton Elementary: Wade King, 5th Grade Teacher; Riverside Middle: Jennifer
McKibben, Language Arts Teacher; and Townville Elementary: Amy Howson, 5th
Grade Teacher.
Also recognized was the 2012-13 District Support Employee of the Year,
Transportation Associate Alton Jermaine Green. Finalists for this award included: La
France Elementary: Heidi McCaulley, School Nurse; Mount Lebanon: Kristi Martin,
School Nurse; Pendleton High: Shirley McClary, Teacher Assistant; Pendleton
Elementary: Fran James, Head Custodian; Riverside Middle: Joy Moats, Data
Coordinator; Townville Elementary: Debbie Mullinax, Administrative Assistant;
Central Office: Melanie Horton, Payroll & Benefits Coordinator; and Transportation:
Jermaine Green, Transportation Associate
All Teacher of the Year candidates completed an in-depth application essay in
accordance with state guidelines as well as a district interview conducted by a panel
comprised of a former South Carolina state teacher of the year and former district
teachers of the year from neighboring school districts.