South Carolina teacher of the year Corey Bedenbaugh’s great advice for graduates | Opinion

Behind every graduate and student across the state of South Carolina are teachers — teachers who supported them, believed in them, and helped light their way forward.

In my own journey, I was fortunate to have teachers who became that light for me. And to be honest, sometimes they had to act as my GPS, because I wasn’t always sure where I was going. Teachers didn’t dictate my path — they helped me discover it.

They asked questions, gave me the tools I needed, and walked beside me until I had the confidence and skills to take my own steps forward.

What I do today is a reflection of those educators who shaped me. They prepared me for what I thought I wanted to become — but their influence ultimately changed my path and led me to where I feel called to be: in the classroom, working as a teacher.

The amazing thing about education is that dreams and desires can change — and that’s OK.

Let’s be honest: Very few of us know what we truly want to be at 18. I was sure I wanted to be a lawyer — until I realized just how much reading that involved, and that it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as it looked on TV.

That’s the real beauty of education. Students aren’t just taught content — they’re taught how to think, how to grow, how to pivot when life shifts beneath them. And that’s where teachers come in.

Dreams evolve. Aspirations shift. The ability to grow with our dreams and aspirations is a gift that teachers help build—quietly, consistently and powerfully. Teachers open doors that students didn’t even know were there. They provide not just knowledge, but possibility.

I became a teacher 12 years ago. And while I’ve learned many lessons along the way — some of them humorous, like how you should never have a student guess your age because they will hurt your feelings — one truth stands out: Teaching is the greatest profession there is. It’s the one where, every single day, you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in someone’s life.

But that difference doesn’t start with textbooks or test scores. It starts with relationships.

I’ve always believed that when students know you care, they care, too. Great teaching begins with connection. It’s not just about knowing students’ names — and yes, remembering them forever when you run into them at the grocery store — it’s about understanding what makes them light up, what they’re going through, and how to help them thrive on the path they choose.

To every graduating student — whether you’re heading to college, joining the workforce, enlisting in the military, or still figuring things out — I want to say this:

You matter. Your choices matter. Your story matters.

Your teachers through your many years of schooling are cheering you on, no matter which direction you take. You don’t have to have it all figured out. The road ahead will have bumps — just like many of the roads here in South Carolina — but it will also be filled with moments that surprise you, shape you, and remind you of your strength.

Your educational journey has already equipped you with more tools than you know. You’ve learned how to solve problems, how to ask questions, how to lead, and how to adapt.

And just like in my own college experience, your first choice doesn’t have to be your final destination. You’re allowed to change direction. Sometimes, that change leads you somewhere better than you could’ve imagined.

Education truly has the power to transform lives. So, to all of this year’s graduates and students across our state: open those doors — and embrace the journey. The students who fill our classrooms are South Carolina’s future. Through your leadership, your energy, and your belief in yourselves, this state will continue to thrive in whatever paths you choose to pursue.

Each day in my classroom at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, I see students who value learning — not just for grades, but as a way to grow into who they are meant to be. Over the past 12 years as a teacher, I’ve had the privilege of watching students grow — not just academically, but as people, discovering their place and purpose in the world.

Many days, my students have taught me more than I feel I’ve taught them. And through it all, they’ve reminded me why this work matters.

Students, you are our future. And with just a few reminders to charge your Chromebooks, turn in your assignments and stay organized, you’ve reminded us that education isn’t just about teaching facts — it’s about shaping futures.

To all of this year’s graduates, we are proud of you. We believe in you. And we can’t wait to see where your journey leads next.

The future of our great state is bright with each of you leading the way.

This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.