By FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writer

Thirty-two-year teaching veteran Beth Shelley is Fair Bluff Elementary School’s teacher of the year for 2007-08.

The second and third grade teacher was selected by her fellow teachers.

“It is a joy and a honor to represent Fair Bluff Elementary School,” Shelley said. This is her first time as a teacher of the year.

“I became a teacher because I believe learning for children depends upon a teacher who has the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity to work with any child,” she said. “My parents taught my sisters and me that learning is a journey – not a race.”

She said that the best part of teaching is when she sees student growth developing before her eyes.

“I beam with pride at the academic gains which I have witnessed,” Shelley said, adding that she sees no downside to teaching.

And what does she think is needed most in education?

“I feel that equal funding of schools throughout our country needs great attention.” She said. “Equity in education is imperative if the goals and objectives of No Child Left Behind are to be achieved,” she said.

Born and raised in Hemingway, S.C., Shelley attended Hemingway High School. Later, she would graduate from the University of South Carolina with a bachelors degree in early childhood development and elementary education.

Prior to coming to Fair Bluff, she taught kindergarten and first grade for 30 years in Florence School District Five at Johnsonville Elementary School in Johnsonville, S.C.
Residing in Fair Bluff, she is married to
Charles Shelley. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

“My special interests are spending quality time with my family, attending church, helping prepare the minds of tomorrow and going shopping,” she said.