WEST COLUMBIA, SC – State Superintendent Ellen Weaver surprised Lexington Two Innovation Center teacher Anne Reamer in March with news that she has been selected as one of five finalists for the prestigious South Carolina Teacher of the Year award.
Superintendent Weaver, Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner, members of the district’s Board of Trustees, and others joined Innovation Center staff and students to make the surprise announcement Thursday in the center’s auditorium.
“Anne has a special connection with her students that empowers them to shine in and outside of the classroom,” Superintendent Weaver said. “What an honor it is to recognize an educator that pours every bit of her life and energy into seeing students succeed.”
Reamer is a National Board Certified business educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience. She started her career in 2000 in Lexington Two at Airport High School, then held teaching positions at three other Midlands area high schools before returning to Airport in 2012. She eventually moved in 2017 to help open a multimedia program at the Lexington Two Innovation Center, which is a district hub for college and career programs. There, Reamer works with student content creators to boost technology to develop an educational platform where student voices can be heard. In the past 11 years, Anne has spearheaded the Convergence Media Project, Lex2be, student based media, ESports, and a podcast. She is on the Innovation Implementation Team/Leadership Team (IIT) L2IC and has led courses for instructional staff members on effectively integrating technology in the classroom.
"Anne Reamer is one of the most multitalented and dedicated individuals that I have ever known," said Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner. "She puts her students first, working to get them the best experiences in the classroom and beyond. She goes out of her way to support fellow educators, both here in Lexington Two and around the state.”
"I'm thrilled that she has been selected as a finalist,” Dr. Hafner added, “because she is never one to take credit or seek the spotlight, even though it is much-deserved," Dr. Hafner added.
Reamer worked for 12 years as a travel agent, but a shift in the industry brought her back to her original plan of working in education, and she returned to college at age 32 as a mother of two young children and with a third on the way. A college advisor at the University of South Carolina changed Reamer’s life, helping her discover a passion for career and technical education. Reamer, who received a bachelor’s degree from The University of South Carolina and a M.Ed. from Columbia College, counts among her greatest accomplishments the ability to build relationships, not only with students and colleagues but around the community. When she’s not in the classroom, she can be found flying video drones or coaching her multimedia students on assignments out in the field, covering stories about school events or about community organizations like the Cayce Police Department. Among professional organizations, Reamer is a member of the Journalism Education Association, Palmetto State Teachers Association, South Carolina Business Education Association, National Business Education Association, Association of Career and Technical Educators, Technology Student Association, and Skills USA.
“Anne not only has a passion for teaching but for learning,” Coleman said. “She is constantly seeking out new software and technologies to ensure her students are well-versed on the latest programs. When she’s not in the classroom, she’s out in the field with students, videoing, photographing, and editing events for our school, district, and our community. She is goves above and beyond for her students and Lexington Two.”
The state's Teacher of the Year was announced April 26 at a celebration in Columbia, attended by all 5 finalists as well as District Teachers of the Year statewide. Renee Atkinson was named the South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on the district, state, and national level.