BOILING SPRINGS, SC –Ashley Cooper, an elementary school teacher from Libertas Academy – Boiling Springs (LABSA), was recently named the 2025-2026 Nathan Yon Institute Brick-and-Mortar Teacher of the Year. This was announced on May 15 at the Institute’s seventh annual Awards Banquet. Each year, the Institute hosts the Banquet as part of its Teacher Retention Initiative, honoring the teachers, students, leaders, and school communities that make a difference across South Carolina.
Cooper is an elementary school Special Education Resource Teacher and a resident of Spartanburg. She is a dedicated Special Education professional with over a decade of experience supporting students with disabilities, including Autism and intellectual disabilities, in both self-contained and resource settings. She has served in leadership roles such as Special Education Chairperson and member of the Spartanburg District 2 Leadership Board for Special Services.
Superintendent of the Charter Institute at Erskine Cameron Runyan, Institute Board Chair and Erskine College President Dr. Steven Adamson, Institute Board Treasurer Helen Taylor, and 2024-2025 Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year M.E. Farmer presented Cooper with her award on Thursday’s Banquet. Ms. Cooper received a commemorative trophy and a gift from the family of Nathan Yon.
Additionally, both Teachers of the Year will join the Institute Leaders Cohort and have the opportunity to participate in both a national trip and an international trip to visit schools and bring back new ideas for their schools.
For the first time ever, the Institute selected two Teacher of the Year honorees. Cooper, a brick-and-mortar teacher, will co-represent the Institute with Aimee Connell, a virtual teacher from South Carolina Virtual Charter School. This change was made to accurately represent the Institute’s growing portfolio, while also celebrating excellence in both types of schools.
“I am deeply humbled to accept this award,” said Cooper. “There are so many incredible educators alongside me and to be selected as an Institute Teacher of the Year means the world. I am excited to be a voice for charter school educators across the state of South Carolina.”
The Institute’s Teacher of the Year selection process is intensive and incorporates both in-person and online components. Institute schools nominate their Teachers of the Year, and then teachers apply to become the Institute Teacher of the Year. The Institute’s panel of judges, including the previous year’s Teacher of the Year, experienced educators, and Institute staff, selects the top five finalists.
“Since joining Libertas, what has stood out most about Ms. Cooper is her heart,” said Celina Patton, LABSA School Director. “She genuinely loves her students and has dedicated her career to advocating for what is best for them. We’re excited to see how she’ll use this new platform to continue driving positive change in education.”
Cooper and Connell were chosen as finalists along with three other educators – Dequilla Chantee Cruell (Brashier Middle College Charter High School), Mitzi Kellum Faust (Calhoun Falls Charter School), and Jeannie Bailey (South Carolina Connections Academy). Finalists attended “Interview Day” at the Institute’s office in Columbia where they participated in a face-to-face interview and met Institute leadership.
The Institute’s Teacher of the Year Award is named after Mr. Nathan Yon, a passionate educator who was set to open a charter school in Columbia but tragically passed away in a car accident before he was able to do so. Prior to naming the Teachers of the Year, Superintendent Runyan and Institute Chief Operating Officer Vamshi Rudrapati recognized the Yon Family with a gift as the Banquet happened to fall on the twelfth anniversary of his passing this year. Learn more about Mr. Yon and his legacy in this video.
“In all that she does, Ms. Cooper shows a deep passion for transforming the future generations of South Carolina,” said Superintendent Runyan. “She inspires others, demonstrates leadership and has an unwavering passion to serve children. Ms. Cooper is a wonderful representative of Mr. Yon’s legacy.”
Libertas Academy – Boiling Springs is a 4K-7 public charter school in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. LABSA is authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine. For more information, visit www.libertasbsa.education.
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Tutelage School Solutions is an award-winning comprehensive service provider for high-quality public charter schools in South Carolina. Tutelage assists their schools in all phases from charter application, school design, development, finance, construction, operations, marketing, and curricula.
The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 26 schools and approximately 30,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org.
