Corey Bedenbaugh is in his 13th year as an educator and his fifth at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, where he teaches eighth grade South Carolina history. Bedenbaugh earned a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in secondary education from Newberry College and a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix.

He has received multiple honors during his career, including Pelion Middle School Teacher of the Year, the Golden Apple Award, the Marigold Award and most recently, District Teacher of the Year for Lexington County School District Three in 2025.

In the classroom, Bedenbaugh prioritizes a student-centered, collaborative learning environment where every learner feels included and valued as part of a learning family. He credits his own teachers for inspiring him to pursue education and shaping the way he now mentors his students.

Beyond the classroom, Bedenbaugh has furthered his passion through serving as social studies department chair, student council advisor, social studies mentor teacher, 4.0 evaluator, a member of multiple teacher advisory committees and basketball coach. One of his proudest accomplishments is founding Bow Ties with Bedenbaugh, a mentorship program for young men at his school.

Bedenbaugh believes that strong relationships are the foundation of great teaching, and he strives daily to help students see their own potential, discover their passions and grow into leaders.