On this episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen welcomes Corey Bedenbaugh, the 2026 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, joined by Superintendent Chris Neeley. Corey reflects on his years teaching eighth-grade social studies and why South Carolina history lands so powerfully with students when they can connect it to the places they already know. He shares the philosophy behind his teacher of the year theme, that the little things create the biggest impact, and offers advice for new teachers heading into their first classroom this fall. He also opens up about the second-grade teacher who convinced a small-town kid from Saluda County that any dream was possible, and how that memory redirected his life away from the career he first thought he wanted.
The conversation then turns to what comes next. Corey talks about his new role at the South Carolina Department of Education, leading the effort to strengthen civics education statewide, and the mindset shift that helped him say yes to leaving the classroom he loved. He explains why so many students see civics as something distant and disconnected from their daily lives, what the Palmetto Civics Project aims to change about that, and why he believes the future civic leaders of the state are already sitting in classrooms today. Keven and Chris add their own take on why local community involvement matters just as much as anything happening in Washington. It is a warm, encouraging conversation about calling, character, and the lasting influence of one great teacher.
🔗 Learn more: https://sccharter.org/
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