COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The announcement of South Carolina's next Teacher of the Year is part of a two-day celebration of public schools.
State schools chief Mick Zais will announce the 2011-12 winner on Wednesday night at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Prizes for the statewide winner include $25,000, a cruise, a ring, and one year of driving a BMW X3. The winner will also spend the school year as an education ambassador with the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement.
The four remaining finalists will receive $10,000 each, a ring and a set of tires.
The privately funded events will start Wednesday with a reception at the Hilton for all district-level teachers of the year.
Bojangles will host a breakfast for teachers Thursday. Legislators will later recognize the winners at the Statehouse.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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