Williamston, S.C. - Anderson School District One is proud to announce Palmetto Middle School’s Braden Wilson has been named 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
State Superintendent Ellen Weaver made the announcement during a special celebration in Columbia on April 25th. Wilson was one of five finalists for the award.
“I don’t think there are really adequate words to express how honored I feel right now and how humbling it is to represent a group as amazing as South Carolina educators,” said Wilson after receiving the honor. “I don’t think that any of the honors or recognitions, however you would like to refer to it, are mine or because of me or anything I do but it’s more of a recognition of all of the collaboration that I get to do every day in the halls at Palmetto Middle School, across Anderson District One and now here having met all of you.”
Wilson has been positively impacting, inspiring and educating students for roughly a decade. She is currently an 8th grade social studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School where her passion for history and dedication to her students is evident through her energetic and engaging lessons.
“Anderson One is excited and very proud of Braden Wilson on being named South Carolina Teacher of the Year,” said Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. “She is an exceptional teacher who motivates and inspires her students to reach their goals and achieve their full potential every day. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on other educators across the state.”
As South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Wilson will serve as a roving ambassador for one year. According to the South Carolina Department of Education, she will provide mentoring, attend speaking engagements, work with Teacher Cadets and Teaching Fellows, lead the State Teacher Forum and be the state spokesperson for thousands of educators. In addition, Wilson won $25,000 and received a brand-new BMW to use while serving as a roving ambassador.