Nicole Schildt of Myrtle Beach, a teacher at the Academy for Technology and Academics in Conway, is a finalist for the Teacher of the Year award for the state of South Carolina from the American Board, an education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, according to a news release from the group. The award celebrates educators who have completed the American Board teacher certification program.

A former deputy sheriff, Schildt worked with troubled youth in the community, a role which led her to consider the transition to teaching.

“After working with gang-involved and at-risk youth, I found that I was drawn to wanting to find a way to help these students,” she said. “The students that I work with lack support systems outside of school, which makes what we do inside the school mean that much more.”

Schildt currently teaches English, public speaking and leadership development at ATA and said she enjoys helping students begin to understand concepts they have previously struggled with.

Schildt was nominated for the award by ATA Principal David Stoudenmire, who said, “This type of dedication and care can help change [her students’] lives forever. [Schildt] comes in every morning with a smile on her face and a genuine, caring demeanor.”

Should Schildt be selected for S.C. Teacher of the Year, she will compete against winners from other American Board states for the national Teacher of the Year. Voting runs through March 29, and the public at large is encouraged to cast a ballot via the award’s page at http://abcte.org/2012-state-teacher-of-the-year-finalists/. The winner will be flown to the organization’s central office in Washington, D.C., to receive the award in person.

Contact VICKI GROOMS at 443-2401 or follow her at Twitter.com/TSN_VickiGrooms.