Berkeley County School District’s Teacher Forum had a few special scholarships to give out during Monday night’s board meeting.
Every year, Teacher Forum continues this community-centered mission by generating revenue through t-shirt sales and other fundraising efforts to support to two student scholarships, as well as a scholarship for the new District Teacher of the Year. These funds allow Teacher Forum to present checks to one graduating Teacher Cadet and one graduating Career and Technical Education student, both priced at $2,500 that will go toward the colleges the students plan to attend. To be selected for either scholarship, students must write an essay responding to a series of prompts about why they deserve the scholarship. Those submissions are read and scored via a detailed rubric provided by Teacher Forum’s Leadership Advisory Council.
Judy Rainey Passion Project Scholarship
2024 Teacher of the Year Rebecca Croskey and 2025 Teacher of the Year Alex Wharton were both recognized during Monday night’s board meeting; Croskey for all her hard work and dedication as she served as the Chair for BCSD’s Teacher Forum, and Wharton as the incoming Teacher Forum Chair for the 2026-2027 school year.
In addition, the district continues to celebrate its 2026 Teacher of the Year, Meagan Brooks from Cane Bay Elementary. During the Teacher of the Year selection process, the selection committee had the privilege of observing her second grade classroom in action, and shared that what they saw was truly inspiring. As the students worked through a math lesson, they collaborated in groups, engaged in deep conversations about their learning, and supported one another as they completed their activities. The lesson reflected a strong learning community Brooks has created in her classroom, one built on trust, collaboration and high expectations for every child.
Brooks’s Teacher of the Year banner already hands in the back of BCSD’s board room, but she was gifted with a second one during Monday night’s board meeting for her to hang up in her classroom.
That is not all she walked away with; on behalf of Teacher Forum, Croskey and Wharton presented Brooks with the Judy Rainey Passion Project Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, which Brooks can elect to spend on any project supporting student success at Cane Bay Elementary.
“Teaching is a calling, but it is also a responsibility – to our students, to our profession and to ourselves,” Brooks said. “I believe deeply in the power of partnership, advocacy and perseverance, and I remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, families, educators, school leaders and this board to continue supporting student growth and success in every way possible.”
Teacher Cadet Scholarship
Both of the student scholarships were presented by Peter Wright, Cane Bay High’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and a member of Teacher Forum’s Leadership Advisory Council.
Kaylen Bradshaw from Berkeley High was named the winner of the Teacher Cadet scholarship. Wright said in her essay, Bradshaw demonstrated a genuine passion for working with children and a deep understanding of the impact educators have in students’ lives. Through her experiences in the Teacher Cadet program, varsity athletics, community service and employment working with children, she has also demonstrated the patience, compassion, leadership and communication skills essential in working in education.
Bradshaw has served as captain for her school’s varsity girls tennis team, where she learned the importance of accountability and leading by example. Her community service and her work with an elementary afterschool program showed her the value of creating environments where children feel supported, confident and capable of success.
Wright said what stood out most in her essay was Bradshaw’s belief that teaching is about far more than delivering content, it is about building relationships, inspiring confidence and helping students believe in themselves. She wrote that the Teacher Cadet program showed her that being a teacher is not just a career she is hoping to pursue, but a calling that will allow her to positively impact the lives of young people for years to come.
Bradshaw is heading to the University of South Carolina Beaufort.
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
Nicole Arias from Cane Bay High was named the winner of the Career and Technical Education scholarship.
Wright said Arias’s essay reflected an impressive combination of leadership, compassion, service and commitment to agricultural and veterinary sciences. Through her involvement in agricultural education, Future Farmers of America, theatre and both employment and community outreach, she demonstrated an understanding that leadership is rooted in service to others.
One of the most impactful parts of her essay described the creation of a nonprofit effort alongside her family to provide fresh vegetables and meals to families in need within the community. She also spoke about her experience in teaching children with disabilities how to ride horses, an opportunity that strengthened her patience, empathy and understanding of the powerful connection between people and animals. In addition to her community involvement, she has developed valuable hands-on experience working as a barn hand, and her agricultural studies have helped prepare her for a future in animal and veterinary sciences.
Arias’s long-term goal is to contribute to research focused on medicines and vaccines that improve the health and welfare of animals.
Arias is heading to Clemson University.