The Baldwin County School District, over the last month, announced each school’s teacher of the year and the District Teacher of the Year Nov. 14 at the annual gala in Georgia College & State University's Magnolia Ballroom.
Teacher of the Year finalists included: William Brunson of Baldwin High School, Diondrea Whipple of Lakeview Academy, Tomeishia Stanton of Midway Hills Primary, Moleshia Little of Lakeview Primary, Laura Franklin of Midway Hills Academy, and Shekita Shinholster of Oak Hill Middle School. Out of these finalists, Brunson was named as District Teacher of the Year.
“I was very surprised to be chosen as teacher of the year of my school and even more as District of Teacher of the year,” said Brunson.
“Each of these teachers are very deserving of the title (District Teacher of the Year). Looking at their accomplishments and journey, each deserved to be selected as teacher of the year at their schools.
Being chosen among them was a very humbling experience and I am grateful.” Brunson is a special education teacher at Baldwin High School and has been teaching for 33 years. He was drawn to the area by Lake Sinclair and, while looking for positions in the area, he met with administrative staff with the BCSD that made a lasting impression.
Feeling the environment was a “good fit,” Brunson accepted the position and is currently in his fourth year at Baldwin High School.
“I began working in Baldwin County in 202021. I work with special needs students in the area of math,” said Brunson.
“I knew from an early age I wanted to work with students and help them prepare for a future that they can’t see right now and work with their families.”
Brunson grew up in Great Falls, S.C., and graduated from Great Falls High School. After high school, he attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and a Master of Education in Secondary Administration and Supervision.
During one summer of his college years, Brunson worked with special needs children and adults at a recreational center in Charlotte N.C.
“Its main focus was mainstreaming special needs individuals with the ‘regular’ population.
After spending a summer working with those individuals, I felt led to pursue special education,” said Brunson. “While I have had a few administrative positions, the majority of my teaching career has been in special education.” Brunson stated that as he moved through his college career to become a teacher, he learned that teaching was not just about applying books to a lesson but about building relationships.
“I was fortunate to have good relationships with classmates and professors that guided me in what to prepare for and look for as a teacher,” said Brunson.
“That led me to be very observant as a new teacher and avoid being overwhelmed. I wanted to start prepared and build a good environment that fostered the rest of my career.”
Once Brunson began teaching, he strived to build relationships with colleagues and students that would foster trust and encouragement.
His goal was to create meaningful and unique learning experiences for all students.
“Being a teacher is about having the students trust you and know you care,” said Brunson.
“That mutual respect and acceptance of each other is the most rewarding part of being a teacher.”
Brunson stated that he is prepared to represent the district at the state level and compete for the title of Georgia Teacher of the Year.
“Though education has changed over the last 33 years, it has been challenging but rewarding to ensure we do what is in the best interest of the children,” said Brunson.