NEW ZION, S.C. — Ms. Lyn Sullivan's smile is infectious when she is in her 2nd grade classroom at Walker Gamble Elementary School.
"You're the best teacher in the world. I wouldn't ever replace you with anyone," says Raelynn Shown, a student at Walker Gamble Elementary.
But Raelynn does not need to worry about Ms. Lyn being replaced, because she says she's not going anywhere.
"She's the best teacher and being so nice. And not making me work so hard," says Raelynn. "She explains everything to us before she makes us do something new. She'll explain things to us, one by one so good. I just love her."
"I grew up in Lexington, South Carolina. And I didn't go to college right out of high school. I went to work," says Ms. Lyn. "And then I felt the Lord kind of leading me to go back to college. And I went into education kind of late after I was married and had children."
Ms. Lyn is now in her 10th year as an educator.
But when she started, she says she juggled school and mom duties by bringing her son to work.
"I really felt drawn to the teachers. I was volunteering in the classrooms as much as I could," says Ms. Lyn. "And then I realized this is what I'm supposed to be doing. And I haven't turned back. I remember taking him to class with me because I didn't have daycare. So sometimes he just came with me, and we just made it work."
After graduating from Francis Marion and getting a masters at Coker College, she worked 8 years in Lake City before moving to Clarendon County.
"My parents are originally from Clarendon County. So, I grew up coming home for the summer and seeing my grandparents. I moved in with my grandmother. And that was a really special time for me. And then I met my husband on a blind date and 20 years later, here we are," says Ms. Lyn.
Now with two kids of her own and teaching a room full of 2nd graders, Ms. Lyn has her hands full. However, she says she can't see herself doing anything else.
"It's always going to be elementary school," says Ms. Lyn. "I am drawn to kids 7, 8 and 9. We have the most fun. It's a way that you can teach them, and you bring it to real life. It's not all about sitting at a desk, it's about getting up, making it valuable to them. They have to understand that we're learning this for a reason. And I love this age group, we have a lot of fun together."
And her students like Raelynn agree that it's fun learning with Ms. Lyn.
"It's so fun. You're growing. This is the biggest grade. It is so fun. And I have the best teacher," says Raelynn.
If you know a teacher like Ms. Lyn who deserves to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom you can nominate them by emailing us at TOW@WLTX.COM. Tell us what that educator is doing every day to go above and beyond in the classroom.