COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- A South Carolina science teacher has won a national Teacher of the Year award.
Beaufort High School biology teacher Jeremiah Young will accept the plaque at a ceremony on Friday in Washington, D.C.
The award comes from a nonprofit group that offers an alternative teacher certification program for people who want to change careers and enter the classroom.
In an announcement on the school's website Young says, "“Being chosen as the recipient of ABCTE's National Teacher of the Year is an honor. There are many great teachers in this profession that deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom. To be chosen as the national recipient is humbling. I am still young in the profession, so receiving this honor will only encourage me to work harder to fulfill the expectations that I feel this position holds, for the remainder of my teaching career.”
A spokesman for the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence says Young was chosen from more than 40 nominees. Mike Holden says it is the group's first such award. No money comes with the recognition.
The selection process involved principal nominations, public voting and interviews.
South Carolina is one of 10 states that accepts the group's program for certifying public school teachers.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report).
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