Christy Calcagno

4 days ago | wltx.com | Christy Calcagno

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Surrounded by screams, cheers and tears from the entire 8th grade class at Summit Parkway Middle School, Mrs. Deidre Moore walked into a moment she'll never forget. For her, teaching isn't just a job, it's a calling that started long before she ever stepped into a classroom. "This is my 11th year, officially, but some have said that I'm an educator and I've been educating people my whole life, teaching life lessons," says Mrs. Moore. And teaching runs in the family.

1 week ago | wltx.com | Christy Calcagno

IRMO, S.C. — Our next News19 Teacher of the Week is Mrs. Lisa Knoche at H.E. Corley Elementary School. She is an Upper Montessori teacher and says learning goes well beyond textbooks and test scores. "Mrs. Knoche is like the best teacher I've had by far my entire, like, six years at the school," says Victoria Massanet, one of Mrs. Knoche's students. "I want them to leave with confidence. I want them to be a good citizen… Yes, it's about academics, but just being a good person," says Mrs. Knoche.

2 weeks ago | wltx.com | Christy Calcagno

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Whether dancing, singing, or handing out hugs, Ms. LaKisha Dunn is always there for her special education students at Meadowfield Elementary School. “I was never trained and certified for this. It just kind of fell in my lap, and I absolutely love it. Wouldn't change what I do. Wouldn't want to do anything else," says Ms. Dunn. But she doesn’t do it alone. She says God guides her path. “I know God has a purpose for me. He keeps showing me day by day," says Ms. Dunn.

3 weeks ago | wltx.com | Christy Calcagno

ST MATTHEWS, S.C. — Inside St. Matthews K8 School in Calhoun County, you'll find a room full of second grader students and a teacher who knows the magic of reading out loud. Amy Kiernan is our next News19 Teacher of the Week. For Kiernan, teaching isn't just about reading, it's about confidence, curiosity, and connection. "I was that student that wanted to ask questions but was afraid to, because I was always told not to. And I want to be the teacher that inspires children to ask questions.

1 month ago | wltx.com | Christy Calcagno

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — From coding to engineering, kindergarten students at Batesburg-Leesville Primary School are letting their minds wonder with help from Librarian Mrs. Amy Bedenbaugh. “I've always been around teaching. We would come over here in the afternoons and play school and write on the board and get the teacher's manuals. That was just fun,” says Mrs. Bedenbaugh.