Amy McAllister-Skinner

2013 Distinguished Young Alumna

Amy McAllister-Skinner earned a master’s degree in literacy from the Spadoni College of Education at Coastal Carolina University in May 2012.

She was named South Carolina’s 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year by the S.C. Department of Education, chosen from more than 80 district-level teachers of the year. As part of the honor of being selected for this prestigious statewide recognition, McAllister-Skinner received a sabbatical from regular classroom teaching so that she could spend the academic year visiting schools across the state to network with K-12 students and faculty. During the year, she spoke at many teacher forums and led teacher cadet classes, and learned about education policy and advocacy. For travel purposes, she was provided with a BMW X3, and she received a $25,000 cash gift. One of the highlights of her Teacher of the Year experience was attending a White House ceremony with the Teachers of the Year from the other 49 states, where she met with President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

McAllister-Skinner is a teacher at J. Paul Truluck Middle School in her hometown, Lake City, S.C.