EASLEY — Approximately 26 of Pickens County’s best teachers and 32 support employees were chosen by their respective schools as 2009-10 Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year and will have the opportunity to apply for district honors.

The August program, in which the overall winners will be named in both areas, will take place at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Pickens County School Superintendent Henry Hunt said he is proud of each of the teachers and the exceptional skills they demonstrate each day in the classrooms.

“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,” Hunt said. “They are truly building success beyond the classroom.”

Those named as 2009-10 Teachers of the Year and the schools they represent are as follows:

• Jackie Chaka, Ambler Elementary

• Ashleigh Evatt, Central Elementary

• Jamie Corrigan, Clemson Elementary

• Courtney Vaughan, Crosswell Elementary

• Anita Richardson, Dacusville Elementary

• Kerry Lightner, Dacusville Middle

• Gloria Wigley, Daniel High

• Kay Hiott, Easley High

• Leah Gannon, East End Elementary

• Daniel Marsh, Edwards Middle

• Phyllis Sams, Forest Acres Elementary

• Robert McKie, Gettys Middle

• Alston Beckman, Hagood Elementary

• Popie Roberts, Holly Springs Elementary

• Donna McCreary, A.R. Lewis Elementary

• Dawn Miller, Liberty Elementary

• Yvonne Mayo, Liberty High

• Toni Johnson, Liberty Middle

• Wendy McClellan, McKissick Elementary

• Susan Bridges-Smith, Pickens Elementary

• Ashley Butler, Pickens High

• Beth Dill, Pickens Middle

• William F. Kellam, Simpson Alternative Center for Education

• Susan Orr, Six Mile Elementary

• Iain Stewart, B.J. Skelton Career Center

• Ashley O’Shields, West End Elementary

Hunt also praised the 2009-10 Support Employees of the Year, saying they “represent the best employees in the district.”

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

Support Employees of the Year and the schools and divisions they represent are as follows:

• Margie Mayes, Accountability, Information and Technology Services

• Rachael Eller, Adult Learning Center

• Linda McKinney, Ambler Elementary

• Kim Wilson, Central Elementary

• Jynene Burgess, Central Services

• Linda Knudsen, Clemson Elementary

• Donna Daves, Crosswell Elementary

• Annette Laney, Dacusville Elementary

• Kim Williams, Dacusville Middle

• Heidi Penley, Daniel High

• Traci Gentry, Easley High

• Suzanne Thomas, East End Elementary

• David Cantrell, Edwards Middle

• Marie Talley, Forest Acres Elementary

• Martha Baker, Gettys Middle

• Linda Robinson, Hagood Elementary

• Anne Bishop, Holly Springs Elementary

• Diann Reece, A.R. Lewis Elementary

• Connie Hartsell, Liberty Elementary

• Michael Ticknor, Liberty High

• Shirley Bentley, Liberty Middle

• Jennifer Dailey, McKissick Elementary

• Jeremy McCollum, Operational Services

• Christina Brock, Parenting and Family Literacy Program

• Allison Whitaker, Pickens Elementary

• Bonnie Stewart, Pickens High

• Susie Thomas, Pickens Middle

• Kim Brank, Simpson Alternative Center for Education

• Julie Bryant, Six Mile Elementary

• Cathie Mills, B.J. Skelton Career Center

• Theresa Boggs, Transportation and Student Nutrition Services

• Donnie Massingill, West End Elementary