EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County has announced four finalists each for its 2008-09 Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year awards and will recognize the winners at its Back to School Celebration on Aug. 15 at Littlejohn Coliseum.

This year’s Honor Roll teacher finalists are Christina Connell, Gettys Middle; Traci Hedetniemi, Edwards Middle; Dana Howard, Daniel High; and Donna Wright, Dacusville Elementary. The Honor Roll support employees are Nancy Alexander, Easley High; Kay Cooper, Holly Springs Elementary; Judith Edwards, Liberty High; and Angel Fox, Six Mile Elementary.

The finalists are among 26 teachers named Teacher of the Year and 30 selected as Support Employee of the Year from their respective schools.

“I am so proud of our school’s teachers of the year and the exceptional skills they demonstrate every day in our classrooms,” Pickens County Superintendent Lee D’Andrea said. “Nominated by their colleagues, they exemplify the best of the teaching profession and are making a real difference toward the academic achievements of our students and our school district. They are truly building success beyond the classroom.”

D’Andrea said support employees exemplify the qualities of progressive and proactive professionals.

“Because they are selected by their colleagues, this is quite an honor,” D’Andrea said. “I congratulate them on this wonderful accomplishment.”

In addition to the Honor Roll recipients, the Teacher of the Year winners are as follows:

• Regina Wilson, Ambler Elementary

• Lisa Cheek, Central Elementary

• Cissy Floyd, Clemson Elementary

• Alyson Taylor, Crosswell Elementary

• Connie Douglas, Dacusville Middle

• Larry Clark, Easley High

• Donna Harrison, East End Elementary

• Patti McCombs, Forest Acres Elementary

• Debra “Debbie” O’Shields, Hagood Elementary

• Pam Gravely, Holly Springs Elementary

• Debbie King, A.R. Lewis Elementary

• Kimberly Martin, Liberty Elementary

• Sandy Kirby, Liberty High

• April Tolley, Liberty Middle

• Angela Spearman, McKissick Elementary

• Carla Alexander, Pickens Elementary

• Ned Steadman, Pickens High

• Shana Dalton, Pickens Middle

• Sonya Boyles, Simpson Alternative Center for Education

• Amanda Wylie, Six Mile Elementary

• Jim Garrison, Skelton Career Center

• Paula Grant, West End Elementary

The remaining Support Employees of the Year, along with their respective schools, consists of the following:

• Scott Hawkins, Accountability, Information and Technology Services

• Pam Powers, Ambler Elementary

• Christie Garner, Central Elementary

• Rosanne Morris, Central Services

• Kendall Shirley, Clemson Elementary

• Sam Taylor, Crosswell Elementary

• LaShinda Barksdale, Dacusville Elementary

• Tiffany Bowers, Dacusville Middle

• Don McJunkins, Daniel High

• Louise Burgess, East End Elementary

• Anita Merck, R.C. Edwards Middle

• Kim Parnell, Forest Acres Elementary

• Shannon Springs, Gettys Middle

• Kaye Powell, Hagood Elementary

• Vonda Lance, A.R. Lewis Elementary

• Flossie Young, Liberty Elementary

• Donna DeRossett, Liberty Middle

• Linda Galloway, McKissick Elementary

• Lynn Looper, Operational Services

• Darlene Owens, Parenting and Family Literacy Program

• Sandy Cousins, Pickens Elementary

• Sharon Higgins, Pickens Middle

• Sue Emery, Simpson Alternative Center for Education

• Sharon Hager, Transportation and Student Nutrition Services

• Lucille Elrod, West End Elementary

Each school-level teacher of the year and all support employees of the year are given the opportunity to apply for selection. A committee of educators, led by current Teacher of the Year Kathy Duncan Grant, selects the top four teachers from those who apply and a committee of colleagues selects the top four support employees from those who apply.