FORT MILL, SC — During the 2025 Teacher of the Year banquet held on April 10 at the Founders Dairy Barn at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, the district announced the five District Honor Roll Teachers of the Year.
Katie Jenkinson, Lead Teacher, Banks Trail Middle
Ms. Jenkinson earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, a Master of Education from Columbia College, and is currently completing her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum Studies at the University of South Carolina. She has served in education for 18 years as an English teacher at both the middle and high school levels and currently serves as the Literacy Specialist and Lead Teacher at Banks Trail Middle School.
Sarah Gilreath, Kindergarten, Doby’s Bridge Elementary
Ms. Gilreath earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education from Winthrop University. She has worked in education for 10 years, including the past eight years at Doby’s Bridge Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher and literacy interventionist.
Lauren Robinson, Kindergarten, Orchard Park Elementary
Ms. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. She has served in education for 11 years in both North and South Carolina as a kindergarten, first grade, and second grade teacher. She joined Orchard Park Elementary in 2022, where she currently serves as a kindergarten teacher.
Samantha Rigby, First Grade, River Trail Elementary
Ms. Rigby earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Carolina University and a Master of Education from Capella University. She has taught at the elementary level for the past 24 years. She joined River Trail Elementary in 2022, where she currently serves as a first-grade teacher.
Michelle Berisford, Third Grade, Sugar Creek Elementary
Ms. Berisford earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Armstrong State University and a Master of Science from Western Governors University. She has taught at the elementary level for eight years. She joined Sugar Creek Elementary in 2022, where she currently serves as a third-grade teacher.
These five Honor Roll Teachers will now be considered for the District Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at the start of the 2025–2026 school year.
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