ORANGEBURG S.C. - Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) is delighted to announce that Ms. Desiree Lewis, a second-grade teacher at Marshall Elementary School, has been chosen as one of only ten educators from across South Carolina to participate in the prestigious Fall 2023 Strategies for Teacher Advancement and Renewal (STAR) Seminar. The seminar is scheduled to take place at Seabrook Island from October 30 to November 3, 2023.

The STAR Seminar is a bi-annual reward and recognition program for exceptional veteran teachers in South Carolina. It is generously sponsored by the Foundation for Professional Development and Palmetto State Teachers Association. Since its inception in 1994, the program has seen the participation of over 550 educators and has been instrumental in fostering commitment to the educational profession as well as providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Ms. Lewis was selected through a highly competitive, statewide application process that scrutinizes various facets of a teacher’s contribution to education. She has been a pillar of educational excellence in Orangeburg County, standing out as an exemplary teacher committed to the academic and personal development of her students.

Adding to this distinction, Ms. Lewis has been honored as Orangeburg County School District Teacher of the Year on two separate occasions. She first received this esteemed recognition for the 2011-2012 academic year while serving at Mellichamp Elementary School. She was again honored with the award for the 2021-2022 school year.

The five-day STAR Seminar at Seabrook Island is fully funded by private contributions through the Foundation for Professional Development. It offers a tranquil setting for teachers to rejuvenate and engage in professional development activities, workshops, and peer-to-peer discussions aimed at enhancing their teaching skills and overall well- being.