Posted in: Public
COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 3, 2017)—Dreher High School teacher Robert Lominack has been named the 2017 High School Teacher of the Year by the SC Bar Law Related Education (LRE) Division for his ability to instill the values of our legal and judicial system in his students. Lominack was presented a $1,000 award at the school’s faculty meeting on Tuesday, May 2.
Lominack serves as the head coach for Dreher High School’s mock trial team. He has coached mock trial teams for over 10 years, leading Hand Middle School to a state championship in 2006 and Dreher High School to fifth in the state in 2017.
“Mr. Lominack taught us how to think on our feet, to expect the unexpected and to act with reason and logic. He had high standards and expectations, often remarking that he wanted us to ‘know and understand the rules of evidence better than real attorneys do,’” said Isabel Cook, Dreher High School student and mock trial team member. “But most importantly, he gave us the tools to meet and exceed his expectations—and the expectations we had for ourselves.”
Robert is also highly revered by the Dreher High School faulty and surrounding community for his dedication to bettering his students and the community far beyond the walls of his classroom.
“Mr. Lominack is a man of quiet dignity who makes students of all walks feel welcome and valued. He builds hope in lives where early years have been challenging and goals and dreams have faltered,” said Dreher High School Principal Jeanne Stiglbauer. “He inspires intellectual curiosity and exudes tolerance. He is a true change agent.”
Outside of the classroom Lominack co-founded Achieve Columbia, a nonprofit that provides assistance to at-risk children starting in middle school until graduation from high school. The assistance provided includes mentoring, tutoring, life-skills, development, exposure to art and culture, legal education and mental health treatment.
“Through our discussions with the Achieve participants about criminal justice reform and the law more generally, I believe that Robert is directly fostering a sense of civic responsibility and helping these kids connect to a community they do not always feel fully embraces them,” said Laura Young, co-founder of Achieve Columbia. “I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Robert.”
The LRE High School Teacher of the Year Award is presented to a teacher who has fostered public understanding of the values of the legal and judicial systems; stimulated a deeper sense of individual responsibility in students; encouraged and supported LRE programs; and increased communication among students, fellow educators and those working in the legal system.
About the Law Related Education Division:
The SC Bar LRE Division, which was developed to improve the ability of teachers to instruct law related education, has been part of the Bar since 1976.
About the South Carolina Bar:
The SC Bar, which has a membership of more than 15,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.
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