North Charleston, S.C., October 24, 2025
News Summary
Sydney Carroll, an eighth-grade English teacher at Meeting Street Brentwood in North Charleston, has been awarded a $57,250 bonus as part of the Excellence in Teaching Award. This program recognized 526 teachers across 39 schools for their contributions to student achievement, with Carroll’s students achieving significant gains in reading levels. The initiative aims to incentivize educators and is funded by philanthropists totaling over $4.6 million in bonuses. Carroll credits her success to collaborative efforts with her principal and an engaging teaching style.
North Charleston, S.C. – Eighth-grade English teacher Sydney Carroll has received a substantial bonus of $57,250 as part of the Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing her for significant student achievement gains at Meeting Street Brentwood. This honor was part of a larger initiative, which saw 526 teachers across 39 schools being rewarded a total of over $4.6 million in bonuses, with an average performance bonus of $8,800.
The 2024-2025 school year marked Carroll’s sixth year of teaching. Under her guidance, the percentage of her students reading at an eighth-grade level increased dramatically from just 7% to 45% by the end of the year. On average, her students gained two years of progress in their reading levels. This remarkable achievement propelled her to stand out among her peers, ultimately leading to the exceptional bonus.
Carroll has expressed that receiving this bonus was a life-changing event. It enabled her to pay off debt, support her graduate school aspirations, and enhance her savings. In her classroom, she maintains a cutout reading “100%” to remind her students of the effort they need to put forth, reinforcing her commitment to having all her students reading on grade level by the year’s end.
The Excellence in Teaching Award program commenced in 2021 within Charleston County and aims to incentivize teachers who demonstrate notable improvements in student performance. The program is funded by philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro through Beemok Education, specifically directed at Title I schools like Meeting Street Schools. The initiative plays a key role in retaining high-quality teachers and is poised for expansion through a combination of public and private funding sources.
Carroll credits her successful teaching to a collaborative approach with her principal, Roger Michael, who provided necessary support such as early morning planning sessions. Her teaching style is characterized by active engagement, critical thinking, and promoting a “productive struggle” for her students, contributing significantly to their academic progress.
Despite the program’s success, it has come under scrutiny from some educators who argue that the reliance on standardized tests for performance pay can be inequitable, especially for teachers of non-core subjects. This ongoing discussion strives for a balance between incentivizing teacher performance through bonuses and ensuring fair compensation for all educators based on their broader contributions to the student learning experience. The South Carolina Department of Education is backing this initiative, having allocated additional funding to expand performance-based bonuses statewide.
In sum, Sydney Carroll’s accomplishments and the recognition she received through the Excellence in Teaching Award highlight the potential impact teachers can have on their students’ academic growth while also sparking important conversations on how to best reward and recognize educators.
FAQ
Who is Sydney Carroll? Sydney Carroll teaches eighth grade English at Meeting Street Brentwood in North Charleston, S.C.
What is the amount of the bonus Carroll received? Sydney Carroll received a bonus of $57,250.
How many teachers were honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award? Carroll was one of 526 teachers across 39 schools honored with an Excellence in Teaching Award.
What percentage of Carroll’s students were reading at an eighth-grade level initially? Initially, only 7% of Carroll’s 75 students were reading at an eighth-grade level.
What significant improvement did Carroll achieve by the year’s end? By year’s end, 45% of her students reached the eighth-grade reading level, with students gaining an average of two years of progress.
What is the purpose of the Excellence in Teaching program? The program aims to incentivize teachers by financially rewarding those whose students show improvement.
Who funds Meeting Street Schools? Meeting Street Schools and other Title I schools receive funding from philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro through Beemok Education.
Key Features of the Article
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Sydney Carroll |
| School | Meeting Street Brentwood, North Charleston, S.C. |
| Bonus Amount | $57,250 |
| Number of Honored Teachers | 526 teachers across 39 schools |
| Initial Student Reading Level | 7% |
| End of Year Student Reading Level | 45% |
| Years of Progress Achieved | Average of 2 years |
| Funding Source | Ben and Kelly Navarro through Beemok Education |
| Excellence in Teaching Program Start Year | 2021 |
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Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette
- Live 5 News
- Charleston City Paper
- Post and Courier
- Post and Courier – Performance-Based Pay
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- Google Search: Teacher Awards and Recognition
- Google Scholar: Education Incentives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Teacher Education
- Google News: Teacher Performance Bonuses
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