GRANITEVILLE — Rosalyn Greene was speechless when she was named the Aiken County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in April, and although she teaches English, she was almost at a loss for words again Wednesday after receiving a new car for earning the title.
Bob Richards Automotive presented Greene - who teaches seventh-grade English at Jackson Middle School - the car during a luncheon for new teachers to the District at Midland Valley High School.
She'll have her choice of a Nissan Altima, a Chrysler 200 Limited or a Toyota Camry to use for two years.
"I'm excited. It's really overwhelming," said Greene with the sound of the three cars' engines purring in the background and the new-car smell in the air. "When I came out and there were these three wonderful cars, it felt like the 'Price is Right.'"
Greene said receiving the car is a public acknowledgment of the hard work of every teacher in the District.
"I'm very grateful and super shocked and surprised. I'm especially grateful for all the support that Bob Richards gives the local schools, teachers and students," she said.
"I'm just a spokesperson for all of the wonderful teachers here. I couldn't do it without my teammates, my principal and my District. It's been wonderful to represent Aiken County."
Greene said she'll decided which car to choose after test driving them all.
"It's hard," she said, "like picking out a pair of shoes."
Greene can choose the car's color, too, but the Clemson graduate said it probably won't be orange like the lucky shoes she was wearing Wednesday.
Green is excited the new school year is about to start, too.
"This time of year, I always have butterflies in a good way; and I'm really energized to get back," she said.
Addressing this year's new teachers, Greene told a story about a student who often tried her patience during her first year in the classroom but who later named her his favorite teacher in the school's yearbook.
"The ones who try you the most, need you the most," Greene said.
First-year teacher Brooke Preston attended the first of two professional development days for teachers new to the district with her mentor, Heather Shuler. Shuler will be teaching second grade at Belvedere Elementary.
"I'm excited, but I'm also definitely going to be nervous on that first day," the USC Columbia graduate said. "I hope I'll get to know the students, and they'll get to know me so we can build that classroom community."
Preston said she's also excited to teach in her home community.
"It's going to be really exciting to give back," said Preston, who attended Aiken Elementary, Schofield Middle and South Aiken High.
Although Shuler isn't a first-year teacher, she will be teaching a new grade this year.
"I was first grade for 19 years; but I'm moving up to second grade this year, and I'm super excited," she said. "I'll be moving up with most of my kids. In the 19 years, I've seen the changes that take place in first-graders, so I can't wait to see how much my students will be able to do in second grade."
New District Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford also addressed the new teachers, mentors and other District employees.
"I consider myself to be a servant," he said. "That's my role as superintendent, to serve the students and the families of Aiken County. I encourage you to embrace that mindset.
"We're servants. We're here to make sure that in generations to come our communities, our county and our state continue to flourish and that our children and their children have safe and nurturing places to live where their families can thrive and enjoy a wonderful quality of life."
An Aiken native, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter. He joined the Aiken Standard in September 2014.