COLUMBIA, S.C. — A teacher at Blythewood High School is now a finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver surprised Will Epps with the news and a check for $10,000 on Thursday.
“I was expecting a fire drill, that's what was on the schedule, so I just let my kids out the building and here I am,” Epps said.
It turns out that fire drill wasn’t just a fire drill. Instead it was part of a surprise for Epps.
“I noticed my mom's car in the parking lot, which is not typical for a fire drill, so that's when I started to think it might not just be a fire drill,” Epps said.
Epps family, along with the state superintendent of education Ellen Weaver, gathered on the turf field to congratulate Epps on becoming a finalist for state Teacher of the Year.
“It's an honor, to be selected as the top 5 within the state is amazing," Epps said. "I’ve gotten to know a lot of the district teachers of the year and they are an amazing bunch. So, to be selected amongst them is a big honor.”
Epps was selected, in part, for his outstanding work in launching the Bengal Biodiesel program. The program is an industrial experience in which students recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel, a renewable alternative to diesel fuel that can be used to fuel many things, including district equipment, tractors, and school buses, according to Epps.
“The kids do everything. The kids run the entire process from raw material checks to in-process testing to final quality checks to release,” Epps said.
Within the course, each student earns over 100 hours of experience operating production equipment and performing analytical tests.
“I really enjoy helping people understand and unlock their potential,” Epps said.
Years before becoming a chemistry teacher position at Blythewood High School, Epps was a student at the school years ago.
“I always wanted to come back to Blythewood High School. It's funny that I look back and I actually accepted a biology teaching job after I graduated. So, I am very happy chemistry opened up because it is my passion, and I'm excited that everything has gone the way it has. And really the community is great, the administration is wonderful and the students are fantastic,” Epps said.
There are five finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced April 25th in Columbia and will receive an additional $25,000 check.