A high school English teacher from Rock Hill is South Carolina's Teacher of the Year, beating two teachers from the Pee Dee for the honor.

State schools chief Mick Zais announced Wednesday night that Patti Tate of Northwestern High School is the 2011-12 winner. She has taught for 24 years.

Tate's awards include $25,000, a cruise, a ring, and one year of

driving a BMW X3. She will also spend the school year as an

education ambassador with the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement.

The other four finalists will receive $10,000 each, a ring and a

set of tires.

Two of those finalists are from the Pee Dee. Beth Hinson, a biology teacher from Dillon High School, and Annitra Jean Allman, an 8th grade math teacher at Johnakin Middle School in Marion School District 1.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report