Pickens County School Board honors staff, students and community partners
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Summary
At its Sept. 22 meeting the School District of Pickens County recognized the 2025–26 District Support Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year, celebrated a national food-service contest win, honored the YAMS music program and heard presentations from the Pickens High teacher cadet class.
The School District of Pickens County Board of Trustees opened its Sept. 22 meeting with a series of recognitions that highlighted staff, students and community partnerships.
Dr. Josh Young introduced April Hurd as the district’s 2025–26 District Support Employee of the Year, noting Hurd’s work in transportation since 2008 — including managing payroll for more than 100 employees, coordinating field trips and responding to student emergencies. "She’s the glue that holds our transportation department together," Young said.
Young also announced Elizabeth Gunnels as the 2025–26 District Teacher of the Year. Gunnels, a fifth-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary, was praised for blending "high academic expectations with a classroom culture filled with care and belonging," mentoring colleagues and leading extracurricular activities.
The board recognized Lisa Hayes, cafeteria manager at Easley High School, whose team won the national JTM Crave contest with the "Cheesesteak Spud Quake." Hayes and district nutrition director Jennifer Stevenson were acknowledged for student engagement in testing finalists and for representing the district in a national cookbook of the top 20 entries.
The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) immediate past president Michelle Branning and region director Carla Kelly presented the Champions for Public Education award to Betty McDaniel for founding YAMS (Young Appalachian Musicians). Board members described YAMS as a countywide enrichment program serving more than 400 students at 14 sites since 2008; the program uses sliding-scale fees, instrument rental and volunteer instruction to provide broad access to music education.
Students from Pickens High’s teacher cadet program gave short presentations describing course activities, community placements and college-credit opportunities. Cadets said the course — supported by partnerships with North Greenville University and the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement — offers AP-weighted credit and pathways such as the Teaching Fellow scholarship. Student speakers cited classroom activities, mentorship roles and real-world placements as central benefits.
The recognitions preceded a packed agenda of budget and policy items. The board moved from celebration to regular business after the presentations.
