On Thursday, March 5, 2026 Dillon School District Three had the honor of hosting South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Mr. Corey Bedenbaugh. Mr. Bedenbaugh began his day at Latta Elementary School where he visited Dillon School District Three Teacher of the Year, Sarah Duprel. He also visited Montessori and 5th grade classrooms where he got to see hands-on learning taking place. He ended his visit at LES by joining a PE class for some exercise. Mr. Bedenbaugh traveled to Latta Middle School where he joined Mrs. Cristin Britt, LMS Teacher of the Year, for her ProTeam class where he participated in a Question and Answer Session with students who are learning about the education field. Mr. Bedenbaugh enjoyed breakfast for lunch in the Viking Cafe with 6th grade students before joining Mrs. Shelley Marsh’s and Mrs. April Harrison’s classes to engage with middle school students who were busy learning! Mr. Bedenbaugh visited Latta High School where he met with Mrs. Susan Bryson’s Teacher Cadet class. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the pathway to a career in education. Mr. Bedenbaugh ended his visit with Mrs. Mary Wiggins, LHS Teacher of the Year, for a history lesson.
Mr. Bedenbaugh graduated from Newberry College with a degree in History and Secondary Education and has spent the past twelve years teaching middle school Social Studies. First at Pelion Middle, where he was named the School Teacher of the Year in 2016, and for the past five years at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School in Lexington County School District Three, where he was named the District Teacher of the Year for 2025. In April of 2026 Corey Bedenbaugh was named South Carolina Teacher of the Year at the Governor’s Mansion Gala in Columbia, SC.
Dillon School District Three extends gratitude to Mr. Bedenbaugh for advocating for students and teachers across the state of South Carolina. It was an honor to host you as a Latta Viking for the day!
