East Clarendon Middle-High School seventh-grade teacher Melanie Ganes has been named Clarendon School District 3 2015-16 Teacher of the Year.
Ganes has been teaching for 23 years, with experience in both elementary and middle school settings. She was named ECMHS Teacher of the Year March 23, 2014, and was awarded District Teacher of the Year during the district's opening ceremony held Aug. 12.
Ganes received a bachelor of science degree from Francis Marion University, and a masters plus-30 degree in elementary education, specializing in divergent learning. She has taught at East Clarendon Middle-High School for 14 years.
Each school's staff selected a teacher of the year to represent their respective school. District Teacher of the Year was determined by a panel of three judges, who made their decision based on written responses to various questions concerning the candidate's philosophy of education; a videotaped classroom lesson; and an in-person interview with the panel.
Ganes was awarded a crystal apple; a plaque; and a monetary award from her school and from the district.
She will now go on to represent Clarendon 3 in competition for State Teacher of the Year.
