Columbia – Patti Tate, a Program Coordinator of English and Social Studies at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, has been appointed to serve as the newest member of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC). Tate was appointed by Senator John Courson, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, to serve as his education appointee. She fills the unexpired term of Ann Marie Taylor of Aiken.

The 2012 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Tate received a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Appalachian State University and a Masters of English Education from Converse College. She has been a classroom teacher for 27 years.

Tate has served as a presenter and speaker for numerous school districts and education organizations. She served as the Chairperson of the 2012 SC Teacher Forum and the chairperson of the CERRA Advisory Board. She is an active member of the Palmetto State Teacher’s Association, the Association of Junior League International, and the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) Board of Directors. She is a 2012 Leadership South Carolina graduate, a 2012 Education Policy Fellow graduate, and she is currently serving on the board of South Carolina Learning Forward.

A National Board Certified teacher, Tate was also awarded York County Educator of the Year in 2011 by the Junior NAACP.