Palmetto Unified School District proudly recognizes Yvette Lakin as our 2024–2025 Teacher of the Year!

For Yvette, this honor is more than a title, it is a reflection of her unwavering commitment to the students she serves and their unique journeys to success. Her path to education began in an unexpected place, as a correctional officer. There, she discovered a passion for teaching and a calling to empower individuals through learning. This realization became her lifelong mission, to ensure that every student knows their potential is not defined by their circumstances.

Throughout her career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections and Palmetto Unified School District, Yvette has specialized in GED instruction for Reading Language Arts and Math. She has transformed countless lives, guiding students from uncertainty to confidence, and equipping them with the skills for lifelong achievement.

Her teaching philosophy is built on resourcefulness, humility, and empathy. Yvette meets students where they are, personalizing lessons with real-world applications, hands-on learning, and steadfast encouragement. She leads by example, modeling resilience, setting high expectations, and fostering hope in every classroom interaction.

As she puts it, “Education is not just what I do, it is who I am.”

Congratulations, Yvette, and thank you for inspiring us all.