Emma Lyn Cain, HCS 2024 Teacher Of The Year

As a former Pee Dee Elementary student, the child of a PDE teacher, and now a PDE teacher herself, Emma Lyn Cain is a PDE Busy Bee through and through. She has a bachelors in early childhood education and a master's in educational leadership, both from Coastal Carolina University. Emma Lyn loves being able to give back to the community she grew up in and wants her students to feel as loved and at home while at school as she did and still does.

Five finalists have been chosen from school-level honorees for the Horry County Schools 2024 Teacher of the Year distinction.

The top 5 Finalists are:

• Brennan Allen, Carolina Forest High 
• Meredith Chandler, North Myrtle Beach High 
• Emma Lyn Cain, Pee Dee Elementary
• James Ryan Carter, Scholars Academy
• Suzanne Troiani, Socastee High

Meet the Top 5 Teacher of the Year Finalists:

In the Spring of 2023, 57 Horry County Schools (HCS) teachers were recognized by their peers as the Teacher of the Year for their respective schools and are now eligible to vie for the distinction of being named the HCS Teacher of the Year.

Ten semifinalists will be chosen by the District’s Teacher of the Year Selection Committee after a review of written applications submitted by school winners. Following a further review of semifinalists’ portfolios and interviews with the committee, the group of semifinalists will narrow to five finalists. One of those five will be named the 2024 HCS Teacher of the Year. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Michelle "Reneé" Atkinson of Aynor High School

Renee´ Atkinson is an Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) English teacher at Aynor High School and began her teaching career at HCS in 2004. Renee’ earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Clemson University, a Master of Secondary English degree from Francis Marion University, an Education Specialist degree from Liberty University, and is also a National Board Certified teacher.

Renee’ Atkinson was named the 2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year by State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver on April 26, 2023. As the winner of the competition, Reneé receives $25,000 and is provided with a brand-new BMW to use while serving for one year as a roving ambassador. She will provide mentoring, attend speaking engagements, work with Teacher Cadets and Teaching Fellows, lead the State Teacher Forum, and serve as the state spokesperson for over 55,000 educators. She will also move forward to compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year.  

Five finalists have been chosen from school-level honorees for the Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year distinction.

Top 5 finalists are:

• Michelle “Reneé” Atkinson, Aynor High;
• Yaminah Jordan, Conway High;
• Jessica Miller, Myrtle Beach Middle;
• Amy Howe, North Myrtle Beach High;
• and Cynthia Lehr, Socastee High

Ten semifinalists have been chosen from school-level honorees for the Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year distinction.

Top 10 semifinalists are:

• Michelle “Renee” Atkinson, Aynor High;
• Delanie Lewis, Carolina Forest High;
• Yaminah Jordan, Conway High;
• Jessica Davis, Myrtle Beach Elementary;
• Nina Annunziata, Myrtle Beach High;
• Jessica Miller, Myrtle Beach Middle;
• Raedene Averitt, North Myrtle Beach Middle;
• Amy Howe, North Myrtle Beach High;
• Cynthia Lehr, Socastee High;
• and Jessica Harrelson, South Conway Elementary

Following a further review of semifinalists’ portfolios and interviews with the committee, the group of semifinalists will narrow to five finalists. In May, one of the five finalists will be named the 2023 HCS Teacher of the Year.

In the Spring of 2022, 56 Horry County Schools (HCS) teachers were recognized by their peers as the Teacher of the Year for their respective schools and are now eligible to vie for the distinction of being named the HCS Teacher of the Year.

Ten semifinalists will be chosen by the District’s Teacher of the Year Selection Committee after a review of written applications submitted by school winners. Following a further review of semifinalists’ portfolios and interviews with the committee, the group of semifinalists will narrow to five finalists. One of those five will be named the 2023 HCS Teacher of the Year.