BMW in the Classroom

BMW Manufacturing Co. believes leadership and innovation begin with a solid education. And because of this understanding, we are involved in all areas of education from primary schools to post-graduate studies to several outside-the-classroom initiatives. Explore the many ways BMW Manufacturing supports the power of knowledge.

State Teacher of the Year

BMW Manufacturing sponsors the annual state Teacher of the Year award. The winning teacher is given a BMW Z4 roadster for a full year to use during his or her yearlong sabbatical from the classroom to represent the state's 50,000 teachers. The winning teacher also receives a $25,000 cash award from the state Department of Education.

Past winners of the S.C. Teacher of the Year award:

1. 1999 - Mary Hamilton Lostetter
2. 2000 - Christa Compton
3. 2001 - Traci Young Cooper
4. 2002 - Christi Wiggins McCollum
5. 2003 - Jason Fulmer
6. 2004 - Linda Blanc Winburn
7. 2005 - Stephanie Seay
8. 2006 - Jennifer "Buffy" Murphy
9. 2007 - Ann Marie Taylor
10. 2008 - Jenna Hallman