SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Taylor Carvajal, a dedicated educator at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB), has been named a finalist for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award. Her passion for teaching and commitment to empowering students with visual and hearing impairments has earned her this prestigious recognition.
Carvajal’s work is deeply personal—she was inspired by her legally blind grandparents to pursue a career in special education. She now teaches high school Employability and Instructional Support, helping students develop essential life and job skills. Additionally, she provides vision services to students who are deaf-blind at SCSDB’s Applied Academic Center, ensuring they have the tools needed to navigate life with confidence.
Carvajal’s journey in education is marked by a strong academic background and a drive to serve students with unique needs.She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University and a master’s in Special Education from Converse University. To further her expertise, she obtained certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired from USC Upstate, allowing her to offer specialized instruction.
Her lessons go beyond traditional academics, focusing on workplace readiness, self-advocacy, and daily living skills—preparing students for independent and fulfilling lives beyond high school.
State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver commended Carvajal’s contributions, saying,
“Taylor has dedicated her career to ensuring that every student has the skills and confidence to lead a successful life beyond high school regardless of their circumstances. Inspired by her own family’s experiences, Taylor brings a passion and personal connection to her work, empowering her students to navigate the world with independence.”
SCSDB President Jolene Madison echoed these sentiments, highlighting Carvajal’s dedication to individualized learning.
“Taylor’s approach to education truly embodies our focus on engaging, empowering, and equipping students for success. She is intentional in designing learning opportunities that meet students where they are while setting a high standard for growth and excellence.”
As a finalist, Carvajal will receive a $10,000 award and advance to the final stage of the Teacher of the Year competition, where she will interview with a panel of expert judges.
The winner, to be announced April 24 in Columbia, will receive a total of $25,000 and a brand-new BMW to use during their one-year tenure as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year. In this role, they will serve as a roving ambassador for the state’s 64,000 educators, mentoring teachers, speaking at events, and leading initiatives to support the profession.
Regardless of the final outcome, Carvajal’s impact on her students and the SCSDB community is already a victory—one that will continue to shape lives for years to come.
Author: Tracy Sanders
