An Aiken County elementary school teacher, admired by colleagues for his musical talents and energetic personality, is the new state Teacher of the Year.

Jason S. Fulmer, 26, stepped forward Friday night to accept the honor at a banquet paying tribute to the best teachers in 83 districts across the state.

Fulmer, an educator for four years, is the sixth man to win the state's top teacher honors in the program's 38-year history. Chuck Long from Charleston was the last man named S. C. Teacher of the Year, in 1986. About 8,000 men teach in S.C. public schools.

Fulmer teaches third grade at Redcliffe Elementary School in Aiken, where he's known for a high-energy approach to his job.

He makes presentations on ways to get parents involved in schools, use of technology in instruction, survival skill advice for first-year teachers and best practices for meeting standards.

Named Feb. 27 as one of five finalists for the award, Fulmer gets a $25,000 stipend, a laptop computer, a year's sabbatical to serve as roving ambassador for the state's 47,000 educators and use of a BMW sports car.

In what has become a tradition during Inez Tenenbaum's tenure as state education superintendent, the announcement of Fulmer's selection culminated a glamorous evening similar to a televised awards show.

"Jason isn't afraid to experiment," Tenenbaum said. "His classroom is a place of discovery where children feel special. They are his 'stars.' Every day, he acknowledges their differences but helps them to understand that the world will not be as bright without even one of them."

Gov. Mark Sanford saluted "teachers all across our state who are working to make a difference in the lives of our children."

"I'd like to congratulate Mr. Fulmer, all the district-level recipients and all South Carolina teachers and encourage them to continue their fight as we work together to keep South Carolina home to educational opportunity," the governor said.

Fulmer told the screening committee that picked him he learned early in his career that finding ways to bring academic subjects to life can make a difference in student achievement.

He decided to focus on students with "behavior problems" and concentrate on helping them become examples for others.

"Learning as I teach is essential," he said, "for I feel that an active learner is the best teacher. My kids often thank me for teaching them, but deep inside, I thank them for being my teacher. I want to be that teacher who opens students' minds to ideas not yet imagined."

Fulmer also said teachers must work to improve the perception of them as professionals.

"We must continue to work hard, stay current with research and learn all that we can about teaching in order to grow professionally and meet the needs of our students," he said.

The four other finalists for state Teacher of the Year were: Randolph M. Brooks, a science teacher at Dreher High School in Richland 1; Julie M. Lovell, a fourth-grade teacher at Forestbrook Elementary School; Lynn Wilson, a social studies teacher at Seneca High School in Oconee County; and Jerry Robertson, a special education teacher at Forest Acres Elementary School in Pickens. Each received a $10,000 stipends a Dell laptop computer and a set of Michelin tires.

Fulmer will represent South Carolina a year from now in the National Teacher of the Year competition.