Carolyn Baker is an exemplary fifth grade Social Studies teacher. Her use of high interest innovative units insure that her students are actively involved, excited learners! Mrs. Baker's students performs plays, construct models, publish books, draw maps, and conduct research to produce timelines and research papers. Her planning goes beyond the classroom. Her class is connected to the community through the use of guest speakers. She provides a risk-free, exciting environment for her students. 

Stephanie has amazing rapport with her students. She encourages them to discover geography and the students are constantly engaged. She brings social studies to life and helps students understand how it has and will continue to effect their lives.  One innovative unit Stephanie developed was Rain Forests of the World. Students took part in a rain forest food taste testing, the conversion of the seventh grade hall into a rain forest, writing letters to leaders of countries with rain forests to encourage conservation, and identifying ways students could help. Along with the Spanish teacher, she organized a trip for students to Mexico. During a week long stay, they visited Mexico City, Taxco, and Acapulco. 

Last year Lynn Washington's AP US History "muckraker" came up with a scandalous story- Mrs. Washington actually lived at the school! This was funny, but no doubt some people believe that she does in fact live at Richland Northeast High School. During school hours, she teaches AP European History, World History, and Cavalier Journal (media journalism) while also coordinating both of Richland Northeast's Magnet Programs. After school and on weekends she teaches Model United Nations, a class that has won 11 first-place finishes in the past 11 years in international competition in New York City. Mrs. Washington was named Richland Northeast Teacher of the Year, Richland Two's Teacher of the Year, and was one of the five finalists for State Teacher of the Year as well as being a Christa McAuliff Fellowship Finalist and First-Runner Up. Lynn has dedicated her life to the teaching of social studies. 

Since 1969, Dr. Charles Kovacik has touched many social studies teachers in SC. During his 30 years as a geography professor at USC, he has devoted countless hours researching and promoting the Palmetto State. He has spent the bulk of his career educating South Carolinians about their state. Dedicated to strengthening geographic education at all levels, he worked closely with the State Frameworks Rewriting Team on the geography component of the newly adopted State Standards. The geography strand received an A rating in a spring Fordham Report, ranking SC as one of the top 4 states in the nation. He has spoken before the State Board of Education and the Education Oversight Committee as an advocate for geography education. His enthusiasm for geography is contagious, as evidenced by the many loyal teachers who have become Teacher Consultants and active members of the South Carolina Geographic Alliance. Without his vast knowledge of our state, his willingness to eagerly and appealingly share his knowledge, his infectious enthusiasm, his "campaign to eliminate greasespots," or his grant-writing ability, social studies would not be where it is today. If you know him, neither would the sales of BBQ, or pig, as he calls his area of expertise. 

Since its inception in 1958, SCETV has been a valuable tool for educators in this state. "South Carolina ETV's mission is to provide a statewide educational communications network. The primary purpose of the network is to provide comprehensive educational opportunities to public schools, colleges, universities, and for adult continuing education. The service is to support and enhance training for state agencies, private industry, and individuals, and to offer programs of cultural, historical, and educational significance to the general public."