Sarah Gams
2021 South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Sarah Gams says a love for teaching and learning was probably embedded in her DNA from her parents who are both retired educators. With school as a second home, teaching was always her dream career. An avid reader and writer, Sarah majored in English at the Honors College of the University of South Carolina where she also learned her Master of Arts in Teaching. After a semester studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, she discovered a passion for travel and the global classroom.
Believing that multicultural experiences create global citizens, she partnered with Education First (EF) Tours in 2006 and has led nine spring break tours for over 300 students and parents to England, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Costa Rica. She was a keynote speaker for EF in Paris, France.
To share her love of reading and promote parental involvement, Sarah created a monthly after-school Community Book Club where students enjoyed talking about books with pizza donated from local businesses.
She earned National Board certification in 2007 and re-certified in 2017. Sarah served as a cooperating teacher for student teachers. As an adjunct professor for Columbia College, Sarah teaches Young Adult Literature, English Methods in Education, and APEC Module 3, a graduate program for teacher certification. After sixteen years in the classroom, teaching middle school, high school, and graduate courses, Sarah still loves the teaching profession.
She believes her greatest accomplishment is providing a strong foundation in literacy for her students to pursue personal and career goals. Through her active support of the next generation of teachers, Sarah makes a positive and long-lasting impact on the future of the education profession.
Sarah will serve a one-year residency at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.
Believing that multicultural experiences create global citizens, she partnered with Education First (EF) Tours in 2006 and has led nine spring break tours for over 300 students and parents to England, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Costa Rica. She was a keynote speaker for EF in Paris, France.
To share her love of reading and promote parental involvement, Sarah created a monthly after-school Community Book Club where students enjoyed talking about books with pizza donated from local businesses.
She earned National Board certification in 2007 and re-certified in 2017. Sarah served as a cooperating teacher for student teachers. As an adjunct professor for Columbia College, Sarah teaches Young Adult Literature, English Methods in Education, and APEC Module 3, a graduate program for teacher certification. After sixteen years in the classroom, teaching middle school, high school, and graduate courses, Sarah still loves the teaching profession.
She believes her greatest accomplishment is providing a strong foundation in literacy for her students to pursue personal and career goals. Through her active support of the next generation of teachers, Sarah makes a positive and long-lasting impact on the future of the education profession.
Sarah will serve a one-year residency at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.
