Teacher of the Year

Charleston County School of the Arts English teacher and Teacher Cadet instructor Patrick Martin is Charleston County School District’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. He’s honored to have been chosen and hopes to use the opportunity as Teacher of the Year to express the importance of creating “community” in all areas of the district.

The announcement came via a surprise visit from Superintendent Anita Huggins and a caravan of District officials. Selected from over 80 school-based Teachers of the Year, Martin will help lead the CCSD Teacher of the Year Roundtable during the 2026-2027 school year. 

Martin follows 2025 honoree Katie Scheaffer from Thomas C. Cario Middle School.

“In Charleston County School District, we are fortunate to have educators like Patrick Martin who embody excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to student success,” said Superintendent Anita Huggins. “His passion for learning, dedication to our students, and ability to inspire those around him make him truly deserving of the 2026 Teacher of the Year honor. On behalf of our entire district, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for the lasting impact he makes in our schools each and every day.” 

Last month, Martin and four other finalists were selected through a multi-step process that began with the outgoing Teacher of the Year Roundtable reviewing their applications. Once the finalists were chosen, each of the five teachers gave a tour of their school to a panel of judges, presented a model lesson for critique, and participated in a thorough interview. 

Martin’s interest in teaching was sparked along the way by people who inspired and encouraged him.

Martin graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor's in English, Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English with a Masters of English, PACE Certification 2015, and is currently earning a Doctorate in Progress from the College of Charleston (2028). He is a member of the Palmetto State Teachers Association (District Captain); South Carolina Education Association; National Council of Teachers of English; South Carolina Council of Teachers of English; NAACP (Education Committee); CCSD Teacher Compensation Task Force; CCSD–College of Charleston Teacher Leader Cohort; Board Member, O.K.R.A. Soup Foundation; Executive Director, The Safe Schools Project; and Executive Director, Lowcountry Teacher Advocates.

Principal Dr. Shannon Cook describes Martin as an outstanding teacher and student motivator at Charleston County School of the Arts who exemplifies an unwavering dedication to both the craft of teaching and the professional growth of fellow educators. "Mr. Martin is known for his ability to inspire and guide each student. He creates a classroom environment where young artists are encouraged to discover, refine, and confidently express their unique voices. Beyond his work in the classroom, Mr. Martin actively supports organizations that positively impact students and strengthen the local community, reflecting a deep commitment to service and educational excellence.  We are immensely proud of Mr. Martin and the numerous ways he contributes to our school community and beyond,” said Cook. 

Other finalists for 2026 CCSD Teacher of the Year included Coach Bradley Blake (Math Teacher) from West Ashley High School, Coach Anthony Galavotti (Science Teacher) from Lucy Beckham High School, Rachel Meyer (Kindergarten Teacher) from Mary Ford Early Learning and Family Center, and Julie Sorensen (Third Grade Reading Teacher) from Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at (843) 937-6303. 

 

 

Charleston County School District (CCSD) officials surprised five unsuspecting teachers today by announcing their selection of the Top 5 Finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year. 

The finalists are Coach Bradley Blake (Math Teacher) from West Ashley High School, Coach Anthony Galavotti (Science Teacher) from Lucy Beckham High School, Patrick Martin (English Teacher) from Charleston County School of the Arts, Rachel Meyer (Kindergarten Teacher) from Mary Ford Early Learning and Family Center, and Julie Sorensen (Third Grade Reading Teacher) from Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School.

One of those finalists will take over the reins from the district’s current Teacher of the Year, Katie Scheaffer (Thomas C. Cario Middle School). CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins presented each finalist with flowers, balloons, and a plaque. At each stop along the route, live announcements and updates were provided on the District’s social media platforms. Photos from the day can also be found there.  

Bradley Blake (WAHS)

As the son of an educator, teaching has always been woven into the fabric of Coach Blake’s life. Long before he had his own classroom, he learned what it meant to educate, mentor, and inspire by watching the adults who shaped Blake into the teacher and coach that he is today. His 25 years as a math teacher at West Ashley High School are a testament to that.

Coach Blake lives and works in West Ashley. He has been a coach in the community since the summer after his senior year of high school and has made a positive impact on the lives of more than 1,000 swimmers who have come through his program. During Blake’s teaching career, he has coached the high school swim team, served as an assistant soccer coach for years, and coached wrestling for 2 years. These connections are why he knows that he is not ready to leave the classroom. Blake also takes great pride in being known as a teacher who coaches rather than a coach who teaches.

Anthony Galavotti (Beckham)

Coach Galavotti has been a teacher for seven years, starting at Septima P. Clark Academy and then transitioning to Lucy Beckham High School in 2021. He came into the profession in an unconventional way, but he hasn’t looked back. In 2017, when Galavotti moved to Charleston for graduate school, he found himself coaching high school football while teaching introductory biology labs as a graduate assistant at the College of Charleston. The most influential experience that led him into teaching was his first season coaching football at West Ashley High School. After volunteering with the program, Galavotti was immediately drawn to the relationships formed with students and the responsibility that came with mentoring them. Coaching reinforced the importance of consistency, trust, and putting students first. Within the first week, he realized teaching would allow him to make a lasting impact.

These experiences shaped Galavotti’s "kid-first" philosophy as a high school science teacher. He believes meaningful learning begins with relationships, and when students feel known, valued, and supported, they are more willing to engage and grow. The impact he strives to make is rooted in creating an inclusive classroom environment where students feel safe being themselves while being challenged to become responsible and compassionate individuals.

Patrick Martin (SOA)