Fort Mill Middle School librarian Annalise Eberhard gets a new car for a year after the Fort Mill School District named her its 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year.
The district announced the honors Aug. 26, also naming Kristen Sims, a technology assistant at River Trail Elementary School, as its 2026-2027 Support Staff Employee of the Year. Both received a $1,500 direct deposit, a weekend at Springmaid Mountain and a ring from Jostens.
Eberhard's Teacher of the Year prize also includes the opportunity to select a new car to drive for one year, provided by Stateline and Mills Automotive Group.
"I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for this honor," Eberhard told the Fort Mill Sun. "I'm excited for the opportunity this gives the students to further develop their literacy, inclusion and growth."
Eberhard has spent 10 years in the district. She taught English at Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge high schools before becoming Fort Mill Middle's librarian in 2024. She holds a bachelor's degree in English secondary education from Winthrop University and a master's in library science from Appalachian State University, along with a Gifted and Talented endorsement.
At her schools, Eberhard has served as a lead teacher, a mentor teacher and a member of the leadership teams at both Catawba Ridge and Fort Mill Middle.
Superintendent Grey Young praised both honorees in a statement, saying they reflect the district's values and the dedication staff show every day across Fort Mill Schools.
Sims came to River Trail Elementary six years ago after 16 years in the credit union industry. She wears several hats. As technology assistant, she serves as school webmaster, yearbook coordinator, social media manager and what the district called "fun coordinator."
Eberhard will now represent the district as its Teacher of the Year candidate at the state level, where she was given the opportunity to select her new car from Stateline and Mills Automotive Group to drive throughout the recognition year.
