After earning the title of District Teacher of the Year in 2025, Berkeley High’s Alex Wharton is now one of five teachers in South Carolina who is in the running for State Teacher of the Year.
This exciting news was delivered (in style) to Wharton Tuesday morning, when State Superintendent Ellen Weaver and her team came out to the school to surprise Wharton in her classroom. Weaver was joined by Berkeley County School District superintendent and chief officers, Berkeley High administrators and Wharton’s family members in sharing the big announcement. VIEW PHOTOS.
“This is truly one of the most joyful opportunities that I have in this job…being able to recognize and celebrate the commitment, the love and the hard work that teachers like Alex pour into their classrooms and into their students every single day,” Weaver said.
BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony S. Dixon said Wharton is someone who makes a positive difference in Berkeley County every day, noting that Wharton is known for striving to create a unified environment for the students and teachers at Berkeley High.
“There could not be a better person to receive this honor, to make this achievement and represent Berkeley County,” he said, adding, “This is one of many of our teachers who is called for this work, who pours into everyone that is around them – everyone has something great to say about her. To see that recognition for her hard work and her calling was just heartwarming.”
Wharton is a special services teacher at Berkeley High. This is her 34th year teaching, and her eighth year in South Carolina. She has taught for 10 years in the United States and 24 in the Caribbean.
When she was named BCSD’s Teacher of the Year in 2025, she was noted for incorporating Berkeley County work and life skills into her teaching, and for being a champion and cheerleader for her students.
Excited, overwhelmed, pleasantly surprised – all words Wharton used to describe how she felt about being named a finalist. Wharton said she looks at this honor as God’s way of saying her work is not yet done.
“I really felt honored,” she said, adding that working in special services is rewarding, but very challenging. “It’s a lot of grind, a lot of work without ‘thank you’, so I felt like this was honoring my 34 years of service to children. I felt blessed.”
Wharton was joined by her husband and son, Thad and John, in celebrating at the school Tuesday morning. John graduated from Berkeley High last year and is currently studying education at Winthrop University.
Wharton loves being a part of Berkeley High.
“Berkeley High School is my family away from my family,” she said. “When I moved to South Carolina they became my second family, and I wouldn’t trade being a Stag for anything else.”
Along with balloons and flowers, Wharton was gifted a $10,000 check from the State Department of Education. Following the surprise, Wharton took a victory lap around the school, led by Berkeley High drumline members as students and staff lined the hallways of the building.
Berkeley High Principal Heather Ducker said Wharton is a blessing at her school.
“She believes in the mission that all students can succeed, and she pours her heart and soul in to the art of teaching,” she said. “She is also passionate about teachers. She isn’t afraid to roll her sleeves up and help a fellow colleague when they need it.
“I adore Mrs. Wharton and I am so thankful for the honor to serve alongside her,” Ducker added.
The 2026 State Teacher of the Year for South Carolina will be named April 23.
