Braden Wilson, center, was named the 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, right, and BMW Fleet Communications Specialist Greg Bunner.
Braden Wilson, a graduate of the Anderson University College of Education, was named the 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
Wilson is a social studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School in Anderson School District One.
“Braden’s infectious passion for making history come alive for her eighth graders at Palmetto Middle School is truly inspiring,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “We are thrilled to celebrate her dedication to developing the next generation of civic-literate South Carolinians and look forward to the impact Braden will make as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year serving as an ambassador for our state’s 64,000 educators.”
Wilson, who is currently in her 10th year working in education, believes teaching children history provides them with an opportunity to explore what they love while making sense of the world around them. She discovers student interests and cultivates experiences that make history engaging and relatable for every learner, hoping to inspire students to make their own unique mark on history.
Prior to starting her teaching career, Wilson was a Teaching Fellow at Anderson University, where she was the Social Studies Teacher Candidate of the Year. Teaching Fellows is an enriched academic experience that prepares graduates to become outstanding teachers. She has a master’s degree in in administration and supervision from Anderson University and also a master’s degree teacher leadership she received from Walden University.
“The College of Education extends a huge congratulations to Braden on this incredible achievement,” said Anderson University College of Education Dean Dr. Mark Butler. “We are excited for her to be able to take her message throughout the state of South Carolina and for her to return to our campus and share with current AU students all she has learned and accomplished in her career. Having someone like Braden, who is an AU alum and a former teaching fellow, be selected as the South Carolina Teacher of Year is aspirational for our current students and such an encouragement for all of us in the College of Education.”
Wilson feels her experiences at Anderson University stood out during her bachelor’s and master’s work. She said her professors were there for her and felt well prepared for the classroom.
As part of the state Teacher of the Year awards program, Wilson will receive $25,000, a brand-new BMW for one year, and professional development opportunities.
The South Carolina Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on a district, state and national level. These awards not only assist in retention efforts but serve as a powerful recruitment tool.
The South Carolina Teacher of the Year serves for one school year as a roving ambassador providing mentoring, attending speaking engagements, working with teacher cadets and teaching fellows, leading the State Teacher Forum, and serving as the state spokesperson for more than 64,000 educators.
You can watch the full event here.
