School District Five teacher assistant receives statewide award

For Immediate Release – April 2, 2026

School District Five teacher assistant receives statewide award

IRMO –Lexington-Richland School District Five special education assistant Jessica Berry has received the 2026 Alternative Pathways for Educator Certification (APEC) Fellow of the Year Award.

This award recognizes educators in the APEC program who demonstrate outstanding professional commitment, academic excellence, and potential to excel in teaching. 

“I am incredibly honored to be named Fellow of the Year through my APEC program at Columbia College,” Berry said. “This award represents my passion for supporting my students and continued growth as an educator, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.”

Berry has been a special education assistant at Lake Murray Elementary School for the last four years. She is excited to continue her journey at the school as the lead teacher in the multi-cat classroom for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Alternative Pathways for Educator Certification (APEC) program is ideal for career changers and employees of school districts who are interested in teacher certification but need a program that supports working adults. The program allows participants to complete coursework leading to a degree in several areas including Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle-Level Education (all four content areas), Secondary Math, Secondary English, and Multicategorical Special Education.

School District Five Coordinator of Certified Staff Melanie Cohen said, “On behalf of our entire team, we are thrilled to celebrate the APEC Fellow of the Year, Jessica Berry. Ms. Berry exemplifies the very best of what it means to serve students with heart and purpose. Her dedication to the children at Lake Murray Elementary is evident in everything she does. She is deeply committed to the call of becoming a teacher and fully embraces the responsibility and joy of loving and growing her students each day. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments, and so fortunate to call her a member of the District Five family.”

To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit Columbia College’s APEC website.

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