Horry County Schools names semifinalists for 2025 Teacher of the Year contest

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The race to be named Horry County Schools’ 2025 Teacher of the Year is down to 10 candidates.

In November, 55 educators were selected by colleagues at their respective schools, and a district selection committee winnowed the list to 10. Officials will review portfolios and conduct more interviews before selecting five finalists.

The district’s 2024 Teacher of the Year was Renee Atkinson of Aynor High School, who was later named the top teacher in South Carolina.

The top 10 semifinalists are:

• Joey Hernandez, Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology

• Krystal Mante, Academy for Technology and Academics

• Sandra Matthews, Conway Elementary

• Nicole Sypher, Daisy Elementary

• Kristy Floyd, Early College High

• Brooke Hall, Loris High

• Matthew Harder, Ocean Bay Middle

• Alexandra (Ali) Tobin, Pee Dee Elementary

• Katie Suggs, Socastee Elementary

• Chad Hamilton, St. James Middle

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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