Angela Tanner

Angela Tanner has been teaching for nine years.She said new technology helps keep her students engaged.
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PAMPLICO , In Angela Tanner's eighth-grade science class, visitors might see students out of their seats and moving around, but it's not because they aren't working.Students are learning how to illustrate the diversity of life on Earth or the characteristics, structure and motions of celestial bodies through interactive videos and programs.Tanner's ability to make science fun and engaging, as well as being a team player, is the reason she was named Florence School District 2's 2007 Teacher of the Year.Tanner will represent the district in the state's Teacher of the Year program and will receive $1,000."I was really surprised," she said."I work with a lot of talented people.There are many teachers that deserved this.I was really honored that my colleagues thought that much of me to nominate me again."Tanner also was nominated for the award during the 2006-07 school year.She has nine years of educational experience, having taught in Florence 2 for six years and Marion School District 1 for two years.She also has taught science at the high school level.Tanner, who said she once dreamed of becoming an attorney, found her niche teaching science to future leaders of her community, state and even the world."I love helping children," she said."I love science and teaching it.I love seeing the kids excited about science and learning, and finding new things to engage and interest them."Tanner uses such technology as a SMART board and inquiry-based approaches to science, helping her students learn through discovery."The kids want to interact with the lesson more," she said."They're more engaged."Through the SMART board, Tanner said she's able to bring more interactive lessons into the classroom than she could with an overhead projector."Students have grown up in the gaming age," she said."You have to be more creative and engaging.You have to have them moving and doing activities."The new tools for the classroom not only make it exciting for the the teachers, but also for the kids," she said.Tanner's motto in her classroom is "Excellence is our standard.Failure is not an option."The motto is one she wants her students to live by, as well as one she follows herself."We're not about minimal," Tanner said."We're about giving it your best shot every day."I can't expect them to come in prepared if I'm not prepared," she said."I have to model what I want them to do."Tanner received a Bachelor of Science in biology from Francis Marion University, plus 18 hours.Tanner is working on her master's degree from Cambridge College.She also is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescent science.She is a member and organist at Union Baptist Church in Pamplico.Tanner and her husband, Michael, have three children, Annah, Mason and Bradley.

Ellen Poston, left, SASI secretary, and Angela Tanner, eighth-grade science teacher, have been chosen as Florence School District 2?s Classified Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year, respectively.