Lexington One Educational Foundation presented its 2025 Joseph M. Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award at recent board meeting

Lexington, SC 05/22/2025 - On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Lexington One Educational Foundation presented its 2025 Joseph M. Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award to Mr. Albert Hamilton Robertson at the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees meeting. Established by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2005, it is the 20th year of this prestigious award being given to recognize an outstanding and deserving administrator in Lexington District One

Mr. Joseph M. Bedenbaugh was an esteemed administrator from the original Lexington District One staff of 1952. He worked in the district for 36 years serving as a seventh-grade math teacher, principal and assistant superintendent for personnel and federal programs. The Educational Foundation remembers and honors Mr. Bedenbaugh annually as its leadership presents this award to a contemporary administrator in Lexington District One at the end of each school year.

The 2025 award winner, Mr. Albert Robertson, has been an educator for 19 years, earning his Bachelors in Teacher Education at Newberry College and a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of South Carolina. He has served as a teacher, Coordinator of Social Studies, and now as the Assistant Principal at Lexington Elementary since 2022. Mr. Robertson began his teaching career at Pleasant Hill Middle School where he also served as the Lead Teacher for Middle School Social Studies for 12 years. In 2021, he moved to Meadow Glen Middle School to teach and also became a House Leader in the school. In 2016, he became the Lexington District One Coordinator of Social Studies until he moved to Lexington Elementary as Assistant Principal.

A team of individuals nominated Mr. Robertson for this prestigious Educational Foundation award, including teachers, literacy coaches, retired and current Lexington District One principals and administrators, as well as Lexington Elementary Principal Patrick Burnett. In the nomination packet, Principal Burnett shared, “Albert Robertson embodies the incredible traits of this award each and every day…I have always known him as the first person to step in when someone is in need. That is exactly what Albert did and has done at Lexington Elementary…Albert Robertson exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding leader, educator and community member. His dedication to students, his passion for creating a positive school culture, and his ability to inspire those around him make him an ideal candidate for the award.”  

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Each nominee for the Educational Foundation’s Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award is evaluated on the basis of 23 leadership criteria. Mr. Robertson’s nomination packet shared, “Albert’s commitment to making our school a fun, vibrant place is unmatched. We’ve seen him kiss a camel, take multiple pies to the face…wear countless costumes…and so much more. He never hesitates to participate in activities that will have a positive impact on the students of Lexington Elementary…His leadership style is one of approachability, respect, and a deep commitment to doing what’s best for his school community.”

Mr. Robertson’s honors include being selected as the Meadow Glen Middle School Teacher of the Year in the fall of 2014, as well as the Lexington District One Teacher of the Year later that same school year.  In 2016, he was honored as the Gilder-Lehrman History Teacher of the year by the South Carolina Department of Education, in addition to the Outstanding Teacher of American History by the South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Regardless of all honors earned, teachers, staff and students know Mr. Robertson as a caring, energetic and outstanding educator who is dearly loved by all at Lexington Elementary School, as well as many others in Lexington District One.

Mr. Robertson’s wife, Blair Robertson, who is a Literacy Interventionist at Lexington One’s Centerville Elementary, and their children, Gray and Holly Claire, attended to celebrate the achievement.  In addition, many individuals from Lexington Elementary School attended the Lexington District One School Board meeting to applaud Mr. Robertson’s honor bestowed by the Educational Foundation.

From all shared and celebrated, it is very evident why Albert Robertson stood out among the other nominees as the best choice for the Lexington One Educational Foundation’s 2025 Administrator of the Year Award in Lexington District One.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Lexington One Educational Foundation’s Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award Winner & Lexington Elementary Assistant Principal Albert H. Robertson and his family (wife, Blair, and children Gray and Holly Claire)

PHOTO CAPTION: Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn; Gray Robertson; Lexington One Educational Foundation’s Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Award Winner & Lexington Elementary School Assistant Principal Albert H. Robertson; Blair Robertson; and Holly Claire Robertson

PHOTO CAPTION: Albert Robertson with the Lexington Elementary School nomination team, including LES Principal Patrick Burnett, and Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn.