08/26/2026
DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2026-27 TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS JENNIFER BRUCKER AND ASHLEE CHINN, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATOR GINGER WATES
Johnston, SC – Edgefield County School District (ECSD) Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman joined members of the school district’s leadership team and 2025-26 ECSD Teacher of the Year Kristen Taylor of Merriwether Middle School on Tuesday morning (8/25) in paying surprise classroom visits to announce each of the school district’s three 2026-27 Teacher of the Year Finalists. These outstanding Edgefield County educators include Merriwether Elementary School (MES) third grade teacher Jennifer Brucker, Douglas Elementary School (DES) fifth grade teacher Ashlee Chinn, and Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School Read 180 teacher Ginger Wates.
“This is a terrific group of finalists who each epitomize excellence in teaching in their own unique way and who also serve as teacher leaders in their home schools,” said Superintendent O’Gorman. “We had a great group of teachers of the year as candidates, and we would be thrilled to have any one of them serve as our school district’s overall teacher of the year.”
The school district’s 2026-27 Teachers of the Year also included Amanda Mattson (Johnston Elementary School), Audra Bedenbaugh (W.E. Parker Elementary School), Rewa Milton (Merriwether Middle School), Scott Bowers (Strom Thurmond High School), and Rebekah Brown (Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center).
Each of the finalists will now be observed and interviewed by an external committee prior to the naming of the school district’s overall teacher of the year during a celebration breakfast on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Pine Ridge Country Club. We are extremely proud of all of our school district’s school-level Teachers of the Year and Support Staff of the Year and congratulate each of the following Teacher of the Year finalists.
ECSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: JENNIFER BRUCKER (Merriwether Elementary School)
Merriwether SC – If you ask teacher Jennifer Brucker what brings her back to her third-grade classroom at Merriwether Elementary School each morning be prepared for an emotional response. Standing outside of her classroom in the hallway on Tuesday (8/25) after being announced as an ECSD Teacher of the Year finalist, she pauses, looks back at her cheering students, and the answer becomes clear.
“It’s the kids, and I love what I do and that’s why I’m here every day,” said Brucker. “I hate being out and having to take days off or do other things because I want to be here with the kids. The fact that they are here every day and want to be in school is why I’m here. I know it sounds cliché, but that’s why I’m here. This is the best school district, and I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else. This is where I’ve always wanted to be and I’m very fortunate.”
Merriwether Elementary School Principal Charidy Goldman says: Mrs. Brucker, being named as a top three finalist for District Teacher of the Year, is a well-deserved recognition of her incredible dedication, passion, and impact in the classroom. We are all so proud of her and grateful for everything she does for her students every single day!
ECSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: ASHLEE CHINN (Douglas Elementary School)
Trenton, SC – As a teacher and a softball and basketball coach, Douglas Elementary School educator Ashlee Chinn has a unique opportunity to follow many of her students more closely after they move on to middle school and eventually high school. After being announced Tuesday morning as one of the school district’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year finalists, and being surrounded by her cheering students, she says it’s one of the things she most enjoys about her profession.
“I’ve been working with kids ever since I graduated high school, and I really just love what I do, and I love the opportunity to have them as elementary students and then watch them grow from when they first get to my classroom and then when they’re ready to leave and be able to make an impact in their lives,” said Chinn. “Not only do I have that opportunity here at the elementary level, but as a coach I’m also able to do that at the middle school and high school levels as well. I enjoy watching them grow and maybe giving them advice on different things they may ask me about. I just love that part of being a teacher and having the opportunity to impact so many lives.”
Douglas Elementary School Principal Windie Burton says: Ms. Chinn is more than just a teacher to her students—she builds genuine connections with each one. She maintains a calm and respectful classroom without ever raising her voice, yet her students deeply respect and love her. Her quiet nature means she may not always be in the spotlight, but her dedication to serving students and colleagues is clear in everything she does. Ms. Chinn is selfless and supportive, always willing to help her colleagues without even being asked. Every year, students and parents specifically request to have her as their teacher which says a lot. She is definitely a jewel in Edgefield County and a vital piece of the DES family.
ECSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: GINGER WATES (Johnston Edgefield Trenton Middle School)
Johnston, SC – When asked to consider what she values most of her years spent in education as a teacher, J-E-T Middle School Read 180 teacher Ginger Wates doesn’t hesitate. Not for a second. It’s not the immediate academic gains and successes of her students (though they’re extremely important). Wates says in teaching in her own hometown and the community she grew up in, she appreciates a longer view of what winning in education looks like.
“I’ve been teaching for quite some time now, and so I can see kids that have moved on and see the professions they have and see the impact made on them and on our extended community,” said Wates. “That’s my goal, to continue having that impact on children and making a difference in children. It’s really rewarding. Teaching in middle school you will see them again on Friday nights (at football games) when they’re at the next level and then again when they graduate, go to college and begin having families. You see that progression and it’s just so very rewarding.”
J-E-T Middle School Principal Patrick Newsome says: Ginger Wates is the kind of teacher every principal hopes to have in their building. Last year, she stepped outside of her comfort zone to take on Read 180 and serve some of our students with the greatest need for reading support. Her background as an elementary teacher, combined with her genuine passion for students who need someone to believe in them, love them, and pour into them, is evident every single day. She is incredibly sharp and loves digging into data, asking questions, and finding solutions to help students succeed. She’s become a key leader in our work to ensure every student gets the right kind of help, at the right time, based on what they need, and in helping colleagues look at data and student needs through a different lens while earning tremendous respect from our entire faculty. Whether it’s stepping up for an extra duty, supporting a colleague, or doing whatever needs to be done for a student, Ginger consistently goes the extra mile with a positive attitude. Simply put, we could not do what we do at J-E-T without her.
Congratulations again to each of our 2026-27 ECSD Teacher of the Year finalists!
Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at [email protected].
