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2022 State Teacher of the Year, South Carolina- Amy Carter

Amy Carter

STAte: South Carolina
SCHOOL: Chapin High School
SUBJECT: English Language Arts, Teacher Cadet Program
GRADE LEVEL: 9, 10, 12

Biography

Amy Carter is a National Board-Certified Teacher at Chapin High School in Chapin, South Carolina. For 22 years, she has taught English language arts to high school students in grades 9-12. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in English education and a Master of Science in educational technology from the University of South Carolina, Carter has always sought to combine the study of language and writing with the powerful collaboration tools that technology offers. Carter’s teaching philosophy comes from Marianne Williamson’s urge to “Let your light shine, so that others may be granted permission to do the same.” When a grumpy football coach made a difference in her own life as a 10th grader, she realized she could do the same for others as a career— and combine it with her love of story and communication to facilitate learning. She believes that literature can keep us in touch with our humanity and teach students empathy that can foster future citizens who are better keepers of each other. She uses literature as a basis for genuine connection with students of all ability levels and uses that rapport to help them become readers, writers and storytellers in their own right. With her most recent professional investment in the Teacher Cadet program, Carter hopes to make an even greater impact as an advocate for public education by inspiring hopeful future educators who may one day become her colleagues.