Our Awards
SC-AMLE Awards and Recognition
Award applications must be completed by January 10,2025.
Awards will be presented at the SCAMLE Conference February 28 – March 2, 2025.
SC-AMLE presents the following awards at the annual conference:
SC-AMLE Innovation in Practice Award
Winners will be invited to present their ideas in innovation at the annual SC-AMLE Conference.
The South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SC-AMLE) established the Innovation in Practice Award Mini Grant to provide financial assistance/ support for a teacher or team of teachers who are working to bring new, innovative ideas to the classroom. The intent is to provide encouragement to innovative risk-takers who seek to meet the needs of middle level students.
The grant is for up to $500.00 in the form of a grant to the teacher/teacher’s 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 SC-AMLE 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 SC-AMLE 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.
Teachers may self-nominate or others may nominate teachers with whom they
work with.
Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award
In 2022, the South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SC-AMLE) 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 SC-AMLE as editor of the SC-AMLE Journal and as a board member, and she was actively involved in the work of the Middle Level Teacher Education Initiative sponsored by the
SC-AMLE.
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.
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, Columbia College |
| 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
(SC-AMLE) 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 presentation of this award is at the discretion of the
SC-AMLE Board of Directors. The award will be presented at the SC-AMLE Annual Conference. The selection committee will inform the recipient so they 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.
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 |
Promising Educator to Watch
The South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education
(SC-AMLE) established the Promising Educator to Watch Award to recognize a teacher who is new to the profession and already dedicating themselves to developing middle level learners and embracing middle level practices in their everyday teaching. Any SC-AMLE member school may nominate up to three teachers for this prestigious award. Only one winner per year will be announced.
Eligible candidates should:
- Be in their first three years of teaching.
- Work directly with middle level students.
- Make a positive difference in the school and community.
- Seek professional development opportunities and implement new ideas.
- Meet the needs of individual students, using effective middle level practices such as:
project based learning, higher order thinking skills, use a variety of assessments tools, develop lessons based upon the needs and talents of all students
Self-nominations for this award 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.
Teacher Candidate to Watch
The South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) established the Teacher Candidate to Watch Award to
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.