Peyton Proffit

One of District Five's own is being honored for his work in the classroom! The Spartanburg Science Center surprised seven educators across Spartanburg County with news that they were the district finalists for the 2024 STEM Educator of the Year Awards. Peyton Profitt, a Project Lead the Way teacher at Byrnes High School, received the exciting news he was District Five's representative.

The awards, in their second year, celebrate the creativity, perseverance, and fortitude of our K-12 public school educators in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Educators were nominated by peers, administrators, students and community members this past Spring, and a blind judging process took place over the summer. The seven finalists are in the running for the STEM Educator of the Year, who will be announced during a Celebration on September 26 at Chapman Cultural Center.

Profitt, along with other recipients, received a check for $2,500 and professional development opportunities from the Center. The countywide winner will receive an additional $2,500.

"Once again, this year, we are honored to celebrate a STEM Educator from all seven school districts in Spartanburg County,” said Executive Director, Mary Levens. “STEM is not just an ordinary acronym. It is made up of four words, Science-Technology-Engineering-Math. These four areas contain skills learned in early elementary school all the way through high school. In college, they are the basis for careers for the future of our country.”

Congratulations to Peyton Proffit!