The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) proudly announced the winners of its top honors for the 2026-2027 school year at the annual Support Employee and Teacher of the Year Banquet, held on August 25. The evening celebrated outstanding educators and support employees from across the district, culminating in the recognition of Marlynde Gamboa as District Teacher of the Year and Joy Moats as District Support Employee of the Year.
Marlynde Gamboa, District Teacher of the Year
Marlynde Gamboa, a Spanish teacher at Pickens High School, was selected as the 2026–2027 SDPC Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Gamboa brings 27 years of experience in education spanning Colombia, England, and the United States. At Pickens High, she teaches courses including AP Spanish Language and Culture and Spanish for Heritage Speakers and serves as World Languages Department Chair.
For Mrs. Gamboa, teaching is a calling rooted in helping students recognize their potential. Her own experience learning another language showed her how language can open doors, expand opportunities, and transform lives. She creates a classroom built around high expectations, encouragement, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for students to develop confidence while connecting language and culture to the world around them.
Her impact extends beyond Pickens High. Mrs. Gamboa teaches English to adult learners through the SDPC Adult Learning Center, serves as a district-approved translator, and advocates for multilingual students and families.
Read more about Marlynde Gamboa and her recognition as the 2026–2027 District Teacher of the Year.
District finalists for SDPC Teacher of the Year included:
Sara Griffith, Easley High School
Hayley Hoover Rowland, Six Mile Elementary
Daniel Taylor, D.W. Daniel High School
Meet the 2026-2027 SDPC Teacher of the Year finalists in their classrooms and see the meaningful connections, engaging learning experiences, and lasting impact they create for students every day.
Joy Moats, District Support Employee of the Year
Joy Moats, bookkeeper at R.C. Edwards Middle School, was selected as the 2026–2027 SDPC Support Employee of the Year. Mrs. Moats supports nearly every aspect of school operations, from purchasing classroom supplies and coordinating field trips to managing financial procedures and helping staff members access the resources they need to be successful.
Her commitment to service often extends beyond her regular responsibilities. Last summer, Mrs. Moats helped obtain report cards for six students who needed them to participate in a travel basketball tournament beginning the next day. She contacted their parents and personally delivered the remaining report cards after work to ensure every student could participate. For some of those students, the tournament became an especially memorable experience because it was their first time seeing the beach.
Mrs. Moats also works intentionally to make R.C. Edwards a place where students and staff feel valued and supported. From welcoming new employees and organizing student incentives to finding ways to boost staff morale, she believes that simple acts of kindness can strengthen relationships and build a positive school community.
Read more about Joy Moats and her recognition as the 2026–2027 District Support Employee of the Year.
District finalists for SDPC Support Employee of the Year included:
Brittani Black, Hagood Elementary School
Anett Eirhart, Transportation, Easley Area
Tosha Stone, R.H. Gettys Middle School
Watch the 2026-2027 SDPC Support Employee of the Year finalists in action for a glimpse into the work, relationships, and dedication they bring to their schools each day.
Celebrating Excellence Across the District
The banquet, sponsored by Peach State Federal Credit Union, recognized 26 Teachers of the Year and 31 Support Employees of the Year from schools and sites across SDPC. Each site honoree will receive a $100 bonus from the district, while the four finalists in each category will each receive a $750 bonus.
As District Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Gamboa will receive an additional $1,500 bonus from the district and $1,000 from Peach State Federal Credit Union. As District Support Employee of the Year, Mrs. Moats will receive an additional $1,500 bonus from the district and $500 from Peach State Federal Credit Union.
To see the full lists of Teachers and Support Employees of the Year from across SDPC, click below: