State’s Teacher of the Year meets with education majors at USCA

The 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year visited with USCA education majors Oct. 27, sharing his teaching philosophy.

“Any teacher who wants to be successful is to focus on building genuine connections and strong relationships with your students,” said Corey Bedenbaugh who teaches social studies at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School.

“Teaching isn’t just about delivering content, but it’s about reaching hearts and minds. When students know you truly care about them as people, it creates trust and respect, and that's when learning becomes a shared journey. Once you have that foundation, everything else, classroom management, student engagement, even academic success tends to fall into place.”

While on campus Bedenbaugh made stops in three different classes, spending time with students.

“I really enjoy talking to education majors because they’re full of energy and fresh ideas,” he said.

“Conversations with them remind me why I started in this profession in the first place. Seeing their excitement about the journey ahead makes you realize just how meaningful this career truly is. It’s inspiring to hear their hopes and ideas and knowing the impact they’ll have on future students makes those moments powerful.”

During the visit, the veteran educator helped students understand what to expect in their own classrooms after graduation. 

“I want education majors to know that teaching is challenging at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding,” Bedenbaugh said.  “There will be hard days—moments when you question yourself—but the impact you have on your students is real and lasting. You won’t always see it right away, but just by showing up, caring, and believing in your students, you’re changing lives and shaping futures.

“You’re never alone in this, here’s a whole community of educators cheering you on. Teaching is a team sport, and we’re all in this together.”

Students majoring in education who had the chance to meet Bedenbaugh said his visit was beneficial.  Zoe Frederick, USCA Class of ’28, said she learned from the Teacher of the Year how to advocate for, engage, and teach students, both in and out of classrooms.

‘One of the biggest things I learned from him, was just how crucial building connections with your students is,” said Frederick, an early education and elementary education major from North Augusta, South Carolina.

“Mr. Bedenbaugh made the point of how important it is to remember that we are not teaching students, we are teaching people. So, as a teacher we have to make connections with all aspects of our students. That means going to the football games or a band event.

“He perfectly summed it up with ‘If you care, they will care.’"

Frederick says she choose to attend USCA for experiences just like the meeting with Bedenbaugh and because it “feels like my home away from home.”

“When I did a campus tour here, I just knew that this school was going to be a perfect fit for me and my needs,” she said.

“Having these educational experiences goes a long way, for they allow experienced teachers to communicate with future teachers.  “This results in exchanging ideas that reflect our personal teaching style. Which is important for in teaching, we are all on the same team with the same goal.”

The USCA School of Education offers undergraduate degrees in early childhood, middle level, music, secondary and special education.  A master’s degree in educator leadership prepares students for leadership roles in the field of education.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.