Mrs. Terri Ivester, outgoing Anderson 3 District Teacher of the Year, has proven herself a powerhouse educator. This year, she was recognized big time as she became a two-time district teacher of the year, having also won in Anderson 2 in 2011. She was named a 2026 Top Five Finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Anderson 3's only second teacher to be recognized as a finalist.
Ivester began her 24-year teaching career as a 1st teacher at Iva Elementary, where she says she first received her “land feet” as an educator. After several years in other districts, she took a leap of faith and applied for the Reading Coach opening at Starr Elementary, which brought her back to A3.
Mrs. Ivester has a passion for education hardwired deep in her DNA, but Terri’s ability to connect and teach students and other teachers can only be described as a gift from God, which she has continuously used to its fullest potential.
She now takes another leap of faith, as she relocates to the SC coast to teach her last few years, where she can have her toes in the sand every opportunity she can!
Terri's impact as an educator echoes through every classroom she has entered, well beyond Anderson 3. We are thankful for educators like her who continuously give their all for the betterment of students!