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<p>Bridges Prep 1<sup>st</sup> grade teacher Tiffany Woodard is one of five finalists for the State Charter District Teacher of the Year, an honor to be announced in late April.</p>
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<p>“We are ecstatic that Mrs. Woodard is a finalist for State Teacher of the Year,” Interim Head of School Sherri Herbst said in a release. “To be one of the five finalists from the 34 state charter schools is a huge accomplishment, and we are so proud of what she has done to help our young learners succeed at Bridges Prep.”</p>
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<p>Woodard earned her National Board Certification in 2011. She has worked at Bridges Prep since 2017, when she and her family moved to Beaufort after her husband was assigned Navy duty. She began her teaching career in 2001.</p>
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<p>A team of current sSate Public Charter Board of Directors members, previous state teachers of the year and charter staff will interview the finalists in April. The winner will be announced at that teacher’s school in late April.</p>
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<p>Woodard is a graduate of Welch College in Nashville, Tenn. She is experienced teaching elementary grades and limited-English students. At a previous school, she co-chaired a professional development team tasked with training in Common Core state standards. She also worked with K-2 teachers to provide research-based assistance to academically-struggling students.</p>
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<p>Bridges Preparatory School was chartered by South Carolina in mid-2012 and opened at near capacity in August 2013.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Joining Woodard as a finalist for the award are Ashley Cannon of the Whitmore School, Jason Williams of Lowcountry Leadership Charter School, Terri Willingham of High Point Academy Spartanburg and Erin Hynum of South Carolina Connections.<br></p>
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