Some very special Beaufort County School District teachers were treated with gift baskets of flowers, balloons and treats Friday, May 2 as Board of Education members made surprise visits to their classrooms to announce the 2014- 2015 Teachers of the Year.

[caption id="attachment_16478" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/School-BHS-Teacher-of-year-5-8.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16478" alt="Congratulations to Beaufort High School’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Shelia Cato. Ms. Cato has tirelessly advocated for students at Beaufort High for years by sponsoring the Umoja Ujima Step Team, planning numerous college visits, talent and fashion shows, and playing an integral part in the school’s annual graduation ceremonies. This year, she developed the highly successful Ladies First Club, a girls mentoring group. The school is so proud that Ms. Cato is a Beaufort High Eagle, and she richly deserves this honor. She is pictured receiving her award from Beaufort County School Board Member Michael Rivers, along with other Beaufort High School administrators." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/School-BHS-Teacher-of-year-5-8-300x146.jpg" width="300" height="146" /></a> Congratulations to Beaufort High School’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Shelia Cato. Ms. Cato has tirelessly advocated for students at Beaufort High for years by sponsoring the Umoja Ujima Step Team, planning numerous college visits, talent and fashion shows, and playing an integral part in the school’s annual graduation ceremonies. This year, she developed the highly successful Ladies First Club, a girls mentoring group. The school is so proud that Ms. Cato is a Beaufort High Eagle, and she richly deserves this honor.<br />She is pictured receiving her award from Beaufort County School Board Member Michael Rivers, along with other Beaufort High School administrators.[/caption]

School Teachers of the Year are selected by their peers according to criteria established by the schools, the South Carolina Department of Education and the district’s Teacher Forum. Next fall, the teachers honored today will be eligible for District Teacher of the Year honors.

“The teachers we’re honoring today have been selected by their peers, which makes their recognitions very special indeed,” said Board of Education Chairman Bill Evans.  “It’s an outstanding group who should serve as terrific representatives and role models for the many wonderful teachers we have across our district.”

“The board and I look forward to this day each year,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “Great teachers are the keys to great students.”

Here are some of the 2014-2015 Beaufort County Teachers of the Year:

• Makela Wilson: Battery Creek High

• Debra Manyin: Beaufort Elementary

• Sheila Cato: Beaufort High

• Patricia Fidrych: Beaufort Middle

• Lt. Col. John Carothers: Bluffton High School

• Sharon McMahon: Bluffton Middle

• Debra Graf: Broad River Elementary

• Nancy Norris: Coosa Elementary

• Anthony Smith: H.E. McCracken Middle School

• Annette Lee: Hilton Head Island High School

• Steven Moe: HHI Middle School

• Cindy McKain: Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary

• Lori Baggett: Lady’s Island Elementary

• Eric Mohrman: Lady’s Island Middle

• Robin Berkeley: M.C. Riley Elementary

• Carol Pringle: Mossy Oaks Elementary

• Maryanne Cherry: Okatie Elementary

• Caroleen Hodge: Port Royal Elementary

• Christina Cook: Pritchardville Elementary

• Michelle Morrison: Red Cedar Elementary

• Bob Prawel: Robert Smalls Middle

• Christina Johnson: St. Helena Elementary

• Michelle Henry: Whale Branch Elementary

• Amy Simmons: Whale Branch Middle School

• Yolanda Saunders-Polk: Whale Branch Early College High School

• Brad Childress: Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence