BAMBERG, S.C. ()

Amy Stembridge instructs English Language Arts at Bamberg Ehrhardt Middle School, and despite the abundance of text in our world, proper grammar remains crucial.

“Children need to present themselves as well-educated as possible,” says Stembridge. “While grammar might not matter in text messages, it plays a vital role in the real world. It’s essential when seeking employment and when communicating with relatives like grandparents or parents.”

Mrs. Stembridge knows she is playing a key role at a key time for her students.

“I’ve taught all the way from kindergarten to middle school, and middle schoolers are my absolute favorite. The relationship you form with them is more adult-like and less child-like. You have the opportunity to guide them through one of the most challenging stages of their lives so far.”

And her journey to be an outstanding educator started with a great influence in her academic career.

“I had a teacher in fifth grade named Ms. Georgia Palmore at Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta. She taught me from grades five through eight. She significantly shaped not only my learning journey but also greatly influenced who I became as a person.”

A human who is beloved by her students. The ones in her classroom and the ones who left campus long ago.

“I’ll encounter former students much later,” she mentions. “Whether it’s in a grocery store, in Columbia, or in Augusta during outings, they recognize me. They’ve all matured and changed, but they consistently share positive remarks about their experiences with me, the things we read, or impacts I didn’t even realize I had made.”