For three outstanding 2025 Crescent High School graduates, the journey from student to educator is already underway.
Emma Grace Vernon, Alyssa Dickson, and Kaitlyn Thompson have each been named 2025 South Carolina Teaching Fellows, a prestigious honor that marks not just their academic achievements but also their deep desire to make a difference through the field of education. Chosen through a rigorous statewide selection process, these Crescent seniors now step into a future dedicated to service, leadership, and lifelong learning.
But for these three Tigers, the call to teach started in the classrooms of Anderson 3, at church, in music rooms, and in after-school conversations with teachers who cared.
🌟 Emma Grace Vernon: “Teaching is how we shape the future.”
Emma’s heart for education was born not in a classroom, but in the children’s ministry at her church. There, she discovered the power of intentional relationships with kids, and the lifelong impact those moments can have.
“Having experienced schools outside of District 3, I can truly say how special our community is,” Emma reflects. “The teachers here didn’t just teach, they noticed me. They asked about my college plans. They stayed after class. Those little things meant the world.”
From art class to extracurriculars, Emma credits Crescent with helping her develop a growth mindset and an appreciation for service. Now, as she prepares to attend Charleston Southern University to major in Elementary Education, she brings that same mindset with her: “Being accepted into Teaching Fellows made everything come full circle, every hour I volunteered, every moment I poured back into my community.”
Emma hopes to return to Anderson 3 one day to teach, giving back to the place that gave so much to her.
Her advice to future educators?
“Do it for the right reasons. Let your heart—not outside voices—guide how you want to impact the world.”
💙 Alyssa Dickson: “I want to give every student the confidence to grow.”
From an early age, Alyssa felt called to teach, and she believes that calling came from God. “I truly believe He gifted me with a heart to serve future generations through education,” she says.
That calling was affirmed again and again throughout her time at Crescent, especially during her service learning experiences and time in Teacher Cadet. It was when she was paired with special education students in Coach McCoy's classroom that she felt her true focus had to be in teaching high school special education.
“I fell in love with teaching high school special education,” she says. “Mrs. Hoskins, Coach McCoy, and Mr. Gray all played a huge part in preparing me for that path. They gave me real tools, real feedback, and real encouragement.”
This fall, Alyssa will attend Anderson University and major in Special Education. She’s excited to grow as an inclusive, compassionate teacher, and eventually hopes to return to a district like Anderson 3 to serve students who remind her of her own journey.
Her message to students considering teaching?
“Get in the classroom as soon as you can. Being there confirmed everything for me.”
🎵 Kaitlyn Thompson: “Music is my way to serve others.”
For Kaitlyn, teaching was never the plan—until it became the purpose.
“I didn’t always picture myself as a teacher,” she admits. “But God has opened every door, and I’ve realized that teaching music is exactly how I’m meant to serve.”
Kaitlyn’s path was shaped by a community of inspiring teachers and countless small moments that added up to something big: a passion for helping others grow. Whether it was a breakthrough in AP Bio or the joy of helping a classmate grasp a new chord in orchestra, those “a-ha” moments fueled her desire to be in the classroom.
She will attend Anderson University this fall to major in Music Education, with dreams of teaching orchestra and guitar at the high school level. Her vision is clear:
“I want students to see the value in progress. To feel empowered through music. To know that even on the hardest days, there is still light.”
For Kaitlyn, returning to Anderson 3 would be a dream fulfilled. “This district shaped me. Coming back to be part of that for someone else, that would mean everything.”
📘 About the Program
The South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, led by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA), provides up to $24,000 in scholarships to selected high school seniors each year. Fellows commit to teaching in South Carolina schools following graduation and benefit from a rich network of support, mentorship, and leadership development.
This year, Crescent celebrates not just three students, but three future teachers who are ready to invest in others, just as others invested in them.
“Emma Grace, Alyssa, and Kaitlyn represent everything good about Crescent and Anderson 3. They are smart, kind, and called to make a difference. The future of education is brighter because of students like them, and I hope we’ll see them back in our classrooms soon.” -Principal Cliff Roberts, Crescent High School