State's top teacher 'shocked'by award

Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL Gaffney High teacher Carol Gallman received several gifts Friday when she was honored as this year's Wal-Mart and Sam's Club South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Homecoming royalty must run in the bloodline of Carol Gallman and her family.

Carol was the Gaffney High homecoming queen in 1980. Her mother, Raymoth Phillips, won the crown in 1958.

Kayla Gallman, Carol's daughter, was a member of this year's homecoming court.

Her mother and grandmother were proud that Kayla was able to represent the school.

"I think it's wonderful that we all three were in the homecoming court," Carol said. "It's an honor just to be considered."

Phillips felt the same way about her granddaughter's participation in homecoming.

"We're excited," Phillips said. "We don't want to put a lot of pressure on her about winning."

Unfortunately, Kayla was unable to continue the family legacy as Kristen Bratton was named the 2007 homecoming queen. But the day was still filled with memorable moments that the Gallman family won't forget any time soon.

During Friday's homecoming assembly, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club announced Carol was their South Carolina Teacher of the Year. She is now in the running for the national award, which will be announced in November.

Carol was called to the front by Gaffney High Principal Marlene Davis where Wal-Mart representatives waited with several gifts. Kayla was one of the first to congratulate her mother on winning the state Teacher of the Year award.

She received a $10,000 education grant for the school, a crystal apple trophy, a personalized South Carolina Teacher of the Year leather tote bag, business cards and a one year membership in Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International. PDK is a professional education association that judged this year's state Teacher of the Year applications.

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly read a proclamation designating Friday as "Carol Gallman Day."

Carol was speechless after learning she won the award.

"I was shocked. I filled out the Teacher of the Year application the end of May and didn't give it another thought," she said. "I love Gaffney High School. I love teaching. That's my passion. If not for my Gaffney High School teachers, I would not have achieved this. I love every minute of my teaching career."

Carol, a 22-year veteran teacher, has been a special education teacher at Gaffney High since 1998. She works as a transition specialist where she helps prepare high school students with disabilities to enter the workforce after graduation.

This effort is accomplished through district projects such as a High School High Tech partnership with the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

Carol requires her seniors to create a Power Point presentation to present to a teacher committee as an "exit interview" before graduation. The multimedia presentation focuses on the students' personal and education goals, strengths and weaknesses, testing information and future resources such as assistive technology to help them prepare for the workforce.

"My students know I care about them, and my desire is for them to graduate high school with a diploma, further their education and then obtain a job," she said.