Teacher of the Year 2013: Jennifer Fusco

At the Dorchester County School District Two Teacher of the Year celebration on Thursday evening, Jennifer Fusco from Beech Hill Elementary School was named the 2013 District Teacher of the Year.

“She speaks from her boundless, open, and sincere heart,” Principal Rene Harris said.

Fusco is in her fifth year teaching at the school and currently teaches fifth grade Gifted and Talented and regular English and Language Arts. She is a graduate of Fort Dorchester High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from College of Charleston in May 2008.

She began her career as a teacher cadet at Fort Dorchester High School; she was named outstanding elementary education undergraduate student at the College of Charleston; she was named Beech Hill Rookie Teacher of the Year; and most recently she received her National Board Teaching Certification.

“My belief is that we are all given challenges in life that direct the paths we choose, and my path led to teaching,” Fusco wrote.

One of Fusco’s proudest accomplishments at Beech Hill Elementary is the Sign Language Club she started for students four years ago. Her passion for this club and the interactions it has sparked stems from her family’s use of sign language as their main source of communication with her twin sister who is deaf. Student interest was so great that more than 100 students signed up for the club and Fusco recruited three other teachers to help her manage the club. The club was featured in the August 2012 edition of Parent Lowcountry Magzine.

All 22 schools’ teachers of the year were honored at the dinner and celebration at Ashley Ridge High School on Thursday. This is the highlight of this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week.