Laura Herndon Gasque was recently selected as Teacher of the Year for Dillon School District Three for 2011-2012.  She was one of four school level Teachers of the Year vying for the position of District Teacher of the Year.  This year’s school representatives are as follows:  Latta High School – Laura Herndon Gasque; Latta Middle School – Cheryl C. Stubbs; Latta Elementary School – Stephanie Johnson; Latta Early Childhood Center – Dana C. Wiggins
Mrs. Gasque is native of Dillon and presently resides in the Floyd Dale Community.  She has been employed by Dillon School District Three for the last twelve years; which is representative of her total teaching experience.  Prior to becoming a part of the educational system Mrs. Gasque worked in various business positions.  She believes that teaching for her has been a calling.
Mrs. Gasque received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a major focus in accounting from USC-Coastal Carolina College in 1991.
Being selected as District Teacher of the Year qualifies Mrs. Gasque as a participant in the selection of South Carolina Teacher of the Year.  The South Carolina Teacher of the Year Program is coordinated via the Division of Educator Quality & Leadership and is designed to honor those who are representative of the state’s many exceptional teachers.
Mrs. Gasque is married to Johnny Mac Gasque, Jr.  They are the proud parents of two children, John Chesley and Kate. 

Latta Middle School
Mrs. Cheryl Stubbs is a Special Education teacher with 36 years of experience.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Winthrop University and a Masters of Education from Francis Marion University.  Mrs. Stubbs states, “I believe that all students deserve the very best education possible.  It is the responsibility of teachers, administrators, parents, and related service personnel, working together as a team, to develop an educational plan that will benefit each student.  Students have a right to feel a part of the educational “family”, no matter what their disability.  No student should feel that they “don’t fit in” or “don’t belong”.  The special education teacher is responsible for communicating with parent, regular education teachers, and administrators to make sure the student’s needs are being met.”

Latta Elementary School
Ms. Stephanie Johnson has been teaching mathematics and science for the last three years.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Degree from Clemson University and a Masters of Education in Learning Disabilities from Francis Marion University.  Ms. Johnson states, “I am constantly researching management strategies and teaching strategies that have research-based evidence to show that the strategies have worked in other settings.  I am always willing to share my ideas and findings with any teacher who is willing to use them, and I am willing to accept ideas from others to better my own teaching.  As teachers, we have to come to the agreement that we are employed as a teacher for one common goal and that is to educate each and every child that we come in contact with to the best of our ability.”

Latta Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Dana C. Wiggins is an Early Childhood teacher with 21 years of experience.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion College.  Since that time she has continued to take classes at Francis Marion, Coastal Carolina, University of South Carolina, Clemson, and Winthrop College.  She states, “A teacher’s best tool is her power of observation.  Children feel safe when they come to school.  They learn that we truly care about their wants and needs.  The children aren’t afraid to ask for a band-aid or ask me to kiss their “owies.”  Children feel like they belong at our school.  I greet each student every morning enthusiastically!  I even try to catch many of them in the hallway on the way to the classroom.  They love for me to tell them to come on down and let them know I’m glad they are here!  Only after these basic needs can be met will a child succeed at school.”
Latta’s District Teacher of the Year and the three Honor Roll Teachers are to be commended for the excellent work they do on a daily basis.