Christopher Cooper was going about his day teaching American government at Goose Creek High when he received some surprise visitors.
Along with school administrators and his wife, Amanda Cooper, was Toni Chewning, Director of Association Activities for the Palmetto State Teachers Association.
With some celebratory balloons and a gift bag, Chewning told Christopher the good news: he has been selected to be a part of the Spring 2026 STAR Teacher Seminar Cohort.
It is the same cohort his wife was selected for last year, and he is one out of only eight teachers throughout the state who were selected to be a part of this program (let alone only one of two teachers from the Lowcountry) to recognize and reward outstanding veteran teachers.
The news was met with applause from his students, as well as an emotional hug from Amanda.
Chewning said is a pretty stringent process to apply and be accepted into the cohort. Teachers have to submit writing samples, letters of recommendation and more.
Christopher will now participate in an all-expense paid week-long seminar later this spring. Participants will do professional development that focuses on how they have grown in their teaching careers and the major transitions they have made.
