CAYCE, S.C. — Whether in the classroom or in the welding room, you can always find Mr. Laird Thompson helping his students grow at Lexington Two Innovation Center.
He has inspired hundreds of students in his 22 years of teaching, including Chad Dulinsky who nominated him to be our next News19 Teacher of the Week.
“He's a great teacher. I honestly wouldn't be in the job that I am in today if it wasn't for him. He influenced me so much to go out and actually pursue my job that I'm in now. So yeah, all thanks to him, for sure,” says Dulinsky.
Chad now works at the City of Cayce Water Treatment Plant and credits his career to Mr. Thompson.
“He lets you understand things. Why we do this, why we do that, how we do this, what to do, what not to do, and most importantly, just help me become the man I am today,” says Dulinsky.
“My passion was always having everybody as skilled as they could be and cross trained and things like that. And so I had earned my teaching credentials and the door opened,” says Thompson.
Born in Florida, Mr. Thompson moved to Lexington Two where he was part of the foundation group that helped design and construct the Innovation Center.
“And you can talk about a lot of manifest destiny type things, but the door opened, and I began teaching high school students," says Mr. Thompson. "I never thought that would be even remotely what I did. And I never looked back. It's been quite an incredible adventure. And a quick 22 years.”
Mr. Thompson always makes sure to highlight his student’s successes before his own.
“My senior class built the bike rack that is in Guignard Park, and so we were there for the design. My students designed it with the city's collaboration, and they constructed it. I had fitters and fasteners," says Mr. Thompson. "When you can energize somebody to get them out of their comfort zone and get them into doing something different, it becomes remarkable to watch. I get emotional talking about it. They turn into great community citizens and active business owners and people that are making a difference in our community.”
“You're a great teacher, great guy, but easily one of the most impactful people in my life, for sure,” says Dulinsky.
Mr. Thompson says the portable big blue letters that spell out Cayce were also built by his students. And the big steel photo wall with hashtag “Meet Me on State” was also created by his students.
If you know a teacher like Mr. Thompson who deserves to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom you can nominate them by emailing us at TOW@WLTX.COM. Tell us what that educator is doing every day to go above and beyond in the classroom.