On the verge of tears and overcome with emotion, Derenda Marshall accepted the honor of being named the 2007-2008 Georgetown County Teacher of the Year.
When her face appeared on the oversized screen at the Tara Theater Ball Room at the Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort Thursday evening, she was visibly overwhelmed.
"I am speechless," Marshall said as she accepted her teacher of the year award. "I certainly did not come here expecting this."
Marshall is a science specialist at McDonald Elementary School.
"Thank you for taking a chance on me," Marshall said. "To the best principal in the world, Miriam Daniels, thank you for taking a chance on me."
"Through her active participation in educational workshops, she has shown a desire to improve her skills and increase her knowledge," says the official program for the award reception. "Mrs. Marshall has adapted lessons to make sure that all children are motivated and can perform to the best of their abilities."
"They were all so good, it was very close," said James Jackson, a member of the interview committee.
As proof that she's willing to take on anything to get her "children" to learn, Marshall takes on the persona of the fictional Ms. Frizzle, a book character who takes magical field trips, to open her children's minds to the endless world of scientific possibilities.
"For years, I have dressed as Ms. Frizzle," says Marshall. "I have costumes that I use to dress up in as Ms. Frizzle. And for years, I have used her philosophy, 'take chances, make mistakes, ask questions, and get messy.' The kids are enthralled with that."
Marshall quickly added, "Ms. Frizzle didn't use 'ask questions,' I added that one. As a scientist, it is my job to ask questions, that's why I added that in."
To meet Ms. Marshall is to meet an infectious ball of energy.
"That girl is a bundle of energy," says Pat Cook, who works in the front office at McDonald. "Ms. Marshall will get things done."