American Leadership Academy Lexington Teacher Named Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year

Lexington, SC -A local Lexington teacher earns significant recognition

Within the halls of American Leadership Academy (ALA) Lexington, Mary Elizabeth (M.E.) Farmer is being widely recognized as an exemplary educator. She received the prestigious honor of 2024-2025 Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year at the Charter Institute at Erskine’s Awards Banquet on May 16.

“I met Mr. Nathan Yon several times and he became an inspiration to me as an educator. Accepting an award with his namesake is an incredible honor. I am eager to advocate for charter schools and represent Institute teachers across South Carolina. I love my students and I love what I do, and I can’t wait for this journey,” expressed Ms. Farmer, a middle school science teacher, and resident of Lexington.

A stellar career in education

Having gathered 24 years of teaching experience across multiple schools, Farmer was instrumental in ALA Lexington’s first year of operation. Her teaching tenures include Heritage Christian Academy (Lexivhtington, SC), Ben Lippen School (Columbia, SC), the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (Hartsville, SC), Lexington School District One, and Spartanburg School District Five.

Institute’s rigorous selection process

The Institute’s Teacher of the Year selection process is extensive, comprising both in-person and online components. The Institute schools nominate their Teachers of the Year, and then aspiring teachers apply to earn the title of Institute Teacher of the Year. A panel of Institute’s judges, consisting retired educators, Institute staff, and the previous year’s Teacher of the Year, narrows down the nominations to the top five finalists.

Ms. Farmer was chosen as a finalist along with four other esteemed educators — Kelly Surber, Jennifer Timmerman, Heather McCraw, and John Huggins. The finalists attended “Interview Day” at the Institute’s office in Columbia for an interview, a roundtable discussion, and a meeting with Institute leadership. Ms. Farmer received her award from Institute Superintendent Cameron Runyan, special guest Todd Atwater, and previous Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year, Ms. Sharmaine Roaden.

Tribute to a passionate educator

The Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year Award honors the memory of Mr. Nathan Yon, a devoted educator intending to open a charter school in Columbia. Tragically, he succumbed to a car accident before realizing his dream.

“It is truly an honor to take this evening to celebrate our incredible teachers. They are typically busy celebrating the children they serve, sometimes forgetting their transformative impact,” stated Superintendent Runyan. “I am confident that Ms. Farmer’s dedication and love for her students will make her a wonderful representative of Institute teachers across the state and I look forward to working with her closely.”

ALA Lexington seeks to provide the best educational environment possible for all students. With its mission focused on supporting the family and maintaining academic excellence, the school offers a moral and wholesome study environment for students. In a field with many deserving candidates, Ms. Farmer stands out for her unwavering commitment to her students and for her contributions to the field of education.