12 years after leaving medical career, this Aiken County teacher is SC Teacher of the Year

By: Skylar Laird

Outlets: South Carolina Daily Gazette

Published: April 24, 2026

Words: 563

Last Updated: 3 months, 1 week ago

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COLUMBIA — Teaching wasn’t Dr. Christie Palladino’s first career, but Thursday she was named South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year.

The Aiken County Career and Technology Center teacher started out as an obstetrician-gynecologist and medical researcher, but she switched to teaching 12 years ago, according to the district where she teaches.

She was selected from a group of five finalists to receive $25,000, state Superintendent Ellen Weaver announced during a Thursday ceremony at the …

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