Dutch Fork High's Erin Gilreath Named Spanish Teacher of the Year

Erin Gilreath, a Spanish teacher at Dutch Fork High School, was named the 2012 South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year by Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society at the College of Charleston and The Citadel.

“Gilreath was selected for her outstanding and diverse teaching accomplishments to include her work with technology for Spanish instruction at both the local and district-wide levels,” Mark P. Del Mastro, founding director of the S.C. Spanish Teacher of the Year program, said in a release. 

Gilreath was announced as this year's winner at an award ceremony on Nov. 8 at The Citadel. She received a plaque, and a $500 cash award from the South Carolina Hispanic Leadership Council.

Dutch Fork High Principal Greg Owings said, “We are certainly proud of Ms.Gilreath. She has made a positive impact on her students at Dutch Fork High School, and she truly represents excellence in our profession.”

Gilreath has been a Spanish educator at Dutch Fork High since 2007. She previously taught at West Ashley High School and Fairfield Central High.

Gilreath serves as an adviser for the Spanish Club and serves as a mentor to new faculty.

Gilreath earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish at Columbia College and a Master of Education at the College of Charleston. 

The S.C. Spanish Teacher of the Year program was founded in 2005 to honor K-12 teachers from across South Carolina for their work as Spanish educators.

This year's finalists were selected from nominees statewide for innovation in teaching, initiative in Spanish curriculum development and extracurricular activities related to teaching and professional development, the release said. 

 

Submitted by Lexington-Richland 5's OFfice of Public Information