Kaitlyn Thompson ‘20 and Angel Cooke ‘23, now elementary school teachers in Clinton and Camden, respectively, were both named top educators for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Presbyterian College alumna Angel Cooke ’23, pictured with her students, is Kershaw County’s Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year.
Two Presbyterian College Department of Education graduates were awarded top teaching honors in their respective school districts for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Angel Cooke ‘23, a second-grade teacher at Pine Hill Elementary in Camden, was named Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year for the Kershaw County School District. Cooke was named a finalist in February, then announced as the winner at the District Teacher of the Year Gala in April.
“Winning just made me feel like I was walking on air,” said Cooke, who centers her teaching style around fun engagement and innovation, playing creative games, creating competitions and conducting hands-on experiments with her students whenever possible. “I had several of my students at the gala and to see and hear them cheer me on was absolutely amazing. They are my ‘why!’ Everyday that I get up to go to teach, I think about the impact I’m making in their lives and how I want it to be a good one.”
Kaitlyn Thompson ‘20, a third-grade teacher at Eastside Elementary School in Clinton, was named Eastside Elementary 2024 Teacher of the Year. For the last two years, Thompson has been specifically teaching math and science to two groups of students. During her first year, she had one class of students and taught all subjects.
“I was very surprised and grateful to find out I was nominated for Teacher of the Year and that I received the award,” said Thompson, who values working in differentiated small groups with her students, designing lessons that incorporate student interests. “When you come from a school where the culture and teaching is so strong and you truly are a family, it means so much more to be recognized by the teachers and administrators around you that you look up to.”
Reflecting on their time at PC, Thompson says that the value the school places on relationship building continues to be instrumental to her career growth. For Cooke, learning how to master both team collaboration and strong independence at PC has helped her to excel in her first year of teaching.
Both Cooke and Thompson say being a part of PC’s commitment to service is the leading reason they chose a career in education.
“I put my students first, because some of them don’t go home to a house where they are put first, second, or even third,” said Cooke. “Their safety net is at school, and I want them to be able to count on me. My hope is that the lessons they’ve learned this year will continue to translate for years to come.”
“I believe that teaching and using my role as an educator to serve the community is a great way to pour into my students and their families, just as they help me grow daily as well,” said Thompson. “I cannot imagine being in a career that does not allow me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, especially kids, in the same way that they make a difference in my life every day.”
For more information about the PC Department of Education, visit the department website.
