27-year-old man makes history as first black Male Teacher of the Year in South Carolina, earns $10,000 cash prize
27-year-old man makes history as first black Male Teacher of the Year in South Carolina, earns $10,000 cash prize
AMERICA | A brilliant young educator named Deion Jamison has made history as South Carolina’s first Black male Teacher of the Year in two decades, marking a milestone moment in the state’s educational landscape.
He is also the first public charter school teacher to earn the honor, a testament to his scholarly excellence, community impact, and deep commitment to fighting educational inequality.
Jamison’s Story and How He Did It
For Jamison, this moment was years in the making. Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, he grew up witnessing major disparities in education between low-income districts and affluent ones.
Even as a child, he imagined himself in a classroom, using a chalkboard gifted by his fourth-grade teacher to teach imaginary students. But when it was time for college, Jamison drifted toward a more predictable path: computer science.
Everything changed when he compared ACT scores with his peers and realized just how uneven educational opportunities truly were. That moment reignited the spark he’d had since childhood.
“I felt teaching was one of the ways I could fight the inequities that exist in education.”
Jamison switched paths and threw himself into understanding the science of teaching and learning. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University.
To become more rooted in his passion for education, Jamison went on to complete a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University. He later became a Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar, an achievement that helped support his higher education and sharpened his passion for educational reform.
Armed with knowledge and purpose, Jamison joined the South Carolina Public Charter School District and began teaching English to 7th–10th graders at Legacy Early College in Greenville.
His approach focused not on memorizing Shakespeare, but on teaching skills that would shape a lifetime—critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.
Jamison’s excellence earned multiple prestigious honors, including: Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award (National Council of Teachers of English) and Teach for America’s Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teacher Leadership Award
He was also awarded the District Teacher of the Year for the S.C. Public Charter School District. So when he watched the 2021 Teacher of the Year Gala, he quietly told himself: “I will be there one day.”
And he achieved that dream in 2022. Selected as a finalist from educators across the state, Jamison received a $10,000 cash prize, advanced to the final judging stage, and ultimately emerged victorious, making history in the state.
His win positions him as a leading voice for more than 55,000 educators in South Carolina. Aside from the $10,000 cash prize, Jamison also received the $25,000 grand prize and a brand-new BMW for one year.
Additionally, he earned a statewide role as roving ambassador, mentoring teachers, collaborating with teaching fellows, leading statewide forums, and speaking at major education events
Beyond the titles and awards, Jamison says the most meaningful part is the impact he makes on young people, especially those who never imagined someone who looks like them could stand in front of a classroom or win such an honor.
“Knowing that I’m inspiring others—that’s the most rewarding part of it all.”
