Spring Hill English teacher receives state honor.

Spring Hill High School English teacher and English department chair Sarah Gams has been named the 2021 S.C. Teacher of the Year.

S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and Lexington-Richland School District Five superintendent Christina Melton surprised Games with the news at her home on Thursday.

"The role of South Carolina Teacher of the Year during the upcoming school year will require tremendous leadership," Spearman said in a news release. "Sarah has shown throughout her career her ability to rise to the occasion and meet the needs of students wherever they are. She is most deserving of this honor and the attributes she possesses will be invaluable assets as she helps to lead our state and the teaching profession forward."

Gams was one of five finalists for the award. She teaches 10th through 12th grades at the Chapin school and has been teaching for 16 years.

Gams, whose parents are both retired educators, majored in English at the...