On Friday, May 12, Presbyterian College hosted its annual teacher induction ceremony with 14 graduates from the education department taking the oath for graduating educators.

“By this time tomorrow, you will not only be inducted as teachers, you’ll be graduates of PC,” President Bob Staton told the graduates. “That reflects a lifetime of work. You have chosen a very important field. None of us would be here if it weren’t for teachers.”

“Like all jobs, it isn’t always easy, but it is so important,” Staton added. “Inspire your students to do their best.”

The event, which was a part of the College’s 134th commencement activities was highlighted by guest speaker Keighley Aldridge ’13, the 2017-2018 teacher of the year for Laurens County School District 56.

“Welcome to the best profession in the world,” Aldridge said. “As an educator, your first responsibility is to develop a relationship with every student who walks into your classroom.”

“There is no such thing as an unteachable child,” Aldridge added.

Aldridge is a third-grade teacher at Joanna-Woodson Elementary in Joanna, S.C. She is in her fourth year as an educator. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Presbyterian College.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Education in teaching at the University of South Carolina, where she received the Mary A. Kelly Scholarship from the South Carolina State Council International Reading Association.

Aldridge is an active member of the Laurens County Reading Council and currently serves as its vice president. She is also a member of the Joanna Lions Club and facilitates “Fuel Up to Play 60,” a health and wellness program at her school. Her article on a classroom management application was recently published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

“Don’t compare yourself to others,” Aldridge said. “Find your passion and bring that to your classroom. We are not only responsible for our students, we are responsible for all students, even those in other classrooms.”

“I know you will be excellent teachers because you have had the same excellent PC education I have had,” Aldridge concluded.

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.