Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award
In 2022, the South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award to honor the work of Dr. Wilson after her untimely death on August 28, 2011. Dr. Wilson was an associate professor of middle level education and literacy at the University of South Carolina who was well known throughout the state and nation as a passionate teacher and a tireless advocate for young adolescent education.
Dr. Wilson was a 2008–2009 Fulbright scholar in Norway, director of the Santee-Wateree Writing Project, and founder of the nonprofit organization “A Chance through Literacy.” She served the SCAMLE (formerly SCMSA) as editor of the SCAMLE (formerly SCMSA) Journal and as a board member, and she was actively involved in the work of the Middle Level Teacher Education Initiative sponsored by the SCAMLE (formerly SCMSA).
The Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award recognizes the significant contributions of a classroom teacher, literacy leader, or teacher educator who has had a significant long-term impact on the advancement of middle level teaching excellence in South Carolina schools or colleges and universities. The contribution may be in service, leadership, and research.
The application consists of the nomination form, including a one-page narrative and two letters of recommendation. The nomination form must be submitted electronically by January 20th, 2023.
Previous Recipients
| 2013 | Dr. Delayne Johnson, Clemson University |
| 2014 | Tara Nanke, Fulmer Middle School |
| 2015 | Dr. Robert Vanderburg, Claflin University |
| 2016 | Andy Posey, Fulmer Middle School |
| 2017 | Dr. David Vawter, Winthrop University |
| 2018 | Dr. G. Nathan Carnes, The University of South Carolina |
| 2019 | Dr. Gary Senn, The University of South Carolina Aiken |
| 2020 | Dr. Marla Sanders |
| 2021 | Dr. Bridget Coleman, The University of South Carolina Aiken |
| 2022 | Dr. Deborah McMultrie, The University of South Carolina Aiken |
| 2023 | Dr. Walter Lee, University of South Carolina Upstate |
| 2024 | Dr. Abbigail Armstrong, Winthrop University |
Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award
The South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award to honor the work of Dr. Wall. Dr. Wall was passionate about middle level education, having served as a middle level teacher and administrator and serving the South Carolina Middle School Association as the first president to serve a two-year term.
Dr. Wall was also instrumental in helping South Carolina become a nationally recognized Schools to Watch state. The Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award recognizes the significant contribution(s) of an individual, school, or organization. The winner must exhibit a considerable, long-term impact on the advancement of middle level education in South Carolina. The contribution could be in one or more of the following areas: service, leadership, and/or research.
The application consists of the nomination form, including a one-page narrative and two letters of recommendation. The nomination form must be submitted electronically by January 20th, 2023.
Previous Recipients
| 2012 | Dr. Phyllis Pendarvis |
| 2013 | Dr. Baron Holmes |
| 2014 | Linda Allen |
| 2015 | Dr. Fred Splittgerber |
| 2016 | Lillie Lewis |
| 2017 | Larry Allen |
| 2018 | Karen Bullard |
| 2019 | Dr. Chris Burkett |
| 2020 | Dr. David McDonald |
| 2021 | Carol Brooks |
| 2022 | Dr. Dixon Brooks |
| 2023 | Dr. Megan Carrero |
| 2024 | Gail Vawter |
The presentation of this award is at the discretion of the SCAMLE Board of Directors. The award will be presented at the SCAMLE Annual Conference. The recipient will be notified of his or her nomination. The selection committee will inform the recipient so he or she may make arrangements to attend the conference to receive the award. The recipient will be invited to serve on the selection committee the following year.
Bishop-Kuntz Award
At the 35th SCMSA Conference in 2012, all former presidents were honored. Molly Kuntz served as the 11th president from 1987 to 1988. After the conference, Ms. Kuntz requested the establishment of an award to recognize a middle level classroom teacher attending the conference. Each year for 20 years, a classroom teacher will receive $100 to be used to support classroom activities. SCAMLE is grateful for the $2,000 donation from Ms. Kuntz to recognize classroom teachers.
SCAMLE Awards and Recognition
presented at the SCAMLE Conference March 1-3, 2024.
Winners will be invited to present their ideas in innovation at SCAMLE 2024.
The grant is for up to $500.00 in the form of a grant to the teacher/teachers school to provide support for continuing to bring innovative practices to the classroom. The grant may be used for supplies, materials, or other items to support new ideas. The winner(s) will be invited to present their innovative idea/practice at the SCAMLE annual conference.
Applications are limited to teachers who work directly with providing instruction to middle level students in South Carolina. Teachers who have completed innovative projects to support the unique learning needs of middle level students are invited to submit an application.Winners will be chosen by a panel of SCAMLE members to reward teachers for undertaking innovation and new ideas to capture the interest of middle schools. Projects should be original and have both an impact on students, the school, and community.
Winners will be invited to present their ideas in innovation at SCAMLE 2023.
Click here to apply for this outstanding award recognition. Teachers may self-nominate or others may nominate teachers with whom they
work.
Promising Educator to Watch
Eligible candidates should
- This award is presented to one teacher who is in their first three years of teaching.
- Works directly with middle level students.
- Makes a positive difference in the school and community.
- Seeks professional development and implements new idea.s
- Meets the needs of individual students, using effective middle level practices such as:
Incorporating project based learning
Integrating higher order thinking skills
Uses a variety of assessments tools
Develops lessons based upon the needs and talents of his/her students
Self-nominations for this award are not permitted.
Click here to nominate someone for this outstanding award recognition. Self-nominations are not permitted.
Regional Teachers to Watch
The South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Regional Teachers to Watch Award to recognize one educator from each region for their dedication to and work with middle level students across South Carolina. The Regional Teacher to Watch provides an honor to teachers who devote time and work toward supporting and embracing middle level practices in their everyday teaching. Nominees must be a member of SCAMLE.
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Must have more than 8 years of teaching experience in the middle level.
- This award is presented to a middle level educator that has made professional contributions that have positively influenced middle level education as well as middle level students.
Nominees for this award:
- Enjoys teaching middle level students
- Makes a positive difference in the school
- Seeks professional development and implements new ideas
- Meets the needs of individual students, using effective middle level practices such as:
- Incorporating activity based learning
- Integrating higher order thinking skills
- Uses a variety of assessments tools
- Develops lessons based upon the needs and talents of his/her students
An overall winner will be selected from these 5 annual region winners to be named the SCAMLE Teacher to Watch.
Self-nominations for this award are not permitted.
Click here to nominate someone for this outstanding award recognition. Self-nominations are not allowed
Teacher Candidate to Watch
recognize an outstanding teacher candidate who has or is completing their internship or student teaching in a middle school and has demonstrated both a commitment to middle level teaching and an awareness of young adolescent development. The Teacher Candidate to Watch must be working on a degree in middle level education in a state approved program.
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
● A student teacher or intern who is completing his/her student teaching in the fall or preceding spring term in grades 5-8.
● Enjoys teaching middle level students
● Makes a positive difference in the school and community
● The host school or the college/university or the supervisor must be a SCAMLE member
Self-nominations for this award are not permitted.
Click here to nominate someone for this outstanding award recognition. Self-nominations are not allowed.
Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award
- The South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award to honor the work of Dr. Wall. Dr. Wall was passionate about middle level education, having served as a middle level teacher and administrator and serving the South Carolina Middle School Association as the first president to serve a two-year term. Dr. Wall was also instrumental in helping South Carolina become a nationally recognized Schools to Watch state. The Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award recognizes significant contribution(s) of an individual, school, or organization. The winner must exhibit a considerable, long-term impact on the advancement of middle level education in South Carolina. The contribution could be in one or more of the following areas: service, leadership, and/or research.
- Eligible candidates must have been a member of SCAMLE, provided exceptional work to support middle level education in South Carolina.
Click here to nominate someone for this outstanding award recognition.
Dr. Jennifer Wilson Teaching Excellence Award
- The South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award to honor the work of Dr. Wilson after her untimely death on August 28, 2011. Dr. Wilson was an associate professor of middle level education and literacy at the University of South Carolina who was well known throughout the state and nation as a passionate teacher and a tireless advocate for young adolescent education. The Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award recognizes significant contributions of a classroom teacher, literacy leader, or teacher educator who has had a significant long-term impact on the advancement of middle level teaching excellence in South Carolina schools or colleges and universities. The contribution may be in service, leadership,
and/or research. - Eligible candidates for the award will be higher education faculty members who provide support to pre-service teacher candidates in the areas of middle-level education and/or literacy.
Click here to nominate someone for this outstanding award recognition.