Pickens County Schools Honor Top Educators with Annual Awards

The School District of Pickens County in South Carolina recently held its annual banquet to announce the winners of two staff awards. Marlynde Gamboa, a Spanish teacher at Pickens High School with 27 years of experience, was named District Teacher of the Year.

Gamboa's teaching career spans three countries: Colombia, England, and the U.S. She teaches AP Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish for Heritage Speakers, and serves as World Languages Department Chair. Additionally, she teaches English to adult learners through the SDPC Adult Learning Center and advocates for multilingual students and families.

The principal of Pickens High School, Lucious Culpepper, described Gamboa as 'one of the most positive spirits you will ever meet.' He noted that her positivity and energy are contagious, making it difficult to have a bad day when walking into her room. Superintendent Danny Merck said Gamboa is an educator who 'changes lives by helping students see possibilities for themselves that they may not have seen before.'

In the support employee category, Joy Moats, bookkeeper at R.C. Edwards Middle School, was named District Support Employee of the Year. Her role extends beyond managing school finances to purchasing classroom supplies and coordinating field trips.