(Story courtesy Edgefield County School District)
JOHNSTON, S.C. – The Edgefield County School District (ECSD) held its annual Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year,
and Bus Driver of the Year Awards Breakfast on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Pine Ridge Golf Club.
Douglas Elementary School (DES) teacher Ashlee Chinn and support staff Misty Reynolds were each named the District’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year, respectively, while bus driver Barbara Bussey was named the District’s Bus Driver of the Year.
The awards were introduced by ECSD Assistant Superintendent David Fallaw and 2025-26 ECSD and Merriwether Middle
School Teacher of the Year Kristen Taylor and presented to each recipient by ECSD Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman.
“I’m incredibly blessed because there is nothing I do that is without God,” said the school district’s new Teacher of the Year,
Ashlee Chinn. “He’s the head of my life and I put all my trust in Him. That’s where my confidence comes from and where
my ability to be an effective teacher comes from, my faith.”
“I’m so excited to represent Edgefield County, this school district, and my school, Douglas Elementary,” she added.
The District also honored ECSD Teacher of the Year Finalists Jennifer Brucker of Merriwether Elementary School (MES) and
Ginger Wates of Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School, alongside their colleagues and school-level Teachers of
the Year in Rewa Milton of Merriwether Middle School (MMS), Amanda Mattson of Johnston Elementary School (JES), Audra
Bedenbaugh of W.E. Parker Elementary School (WEP), Scott Bowers of Strom Thurmond High School (STHS), and Rebekah
Brown of the Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center (STCTC).
“I’m just so grateful and blessed and thankful for my kids and the staff (at DES),” said ECSD’s new Support Staff of the Year,
Misty Reynolds. “The kids make sure to get a hug from me every morning, and I make sure they’re well taken care of.”
The school district also celebrated its school-level Support Staff of the Year winners, including Resource Officer (SRO) Sydney
Moulton (MES), Kelley Hyler (J-E-T), Angella Hood (MMS), Melissa Swiger (JES), Brittany Moore (WEP), Sierra Washington
(STHS), Tracie Morton (STCTC), and Brannon Yonce (District Office).
“I’m just so overwhelmed,” said the school district’s new Bus Driver of the Year, Barbara Bussey. “I never expected it and I
never saw this coming. Hats off to all of our bus drivers because in my sight everyone is a winner.”
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