Three Francis Marion University School of Education alumni received awards at the school’s annual reception Tuesday.
Kelly Kady Tarkenton (’13, ’15) received the Novice Educator Award, Julie Shealy (’96) received the Veteran Educator Award, and Sonya Graves (’96, ‘00) received the Administrator Award.
The event was a part of FMU’s Homecoming activities, which culminate with Saturday’s celebration on campus.
The Novice Educator Award recognizes a successful FMU graduate who demonstrates leadership in education and has been an educator at the early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school level for one to three years.
In addition, the candidate must convey a strong sense of pride and loyalty for his/her alma mater, demonstrate success in his/her educational endeavors and serve his/her community through active involvement in civic and/or charitable and service organizations.
The criteria for the Veteran Educator Award and the Administrator Award are the same as outlined for the Novice Award but he/she must be an educator or administrator at the early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school level with four or more years’ experience.
Tarkenton is a first grade teacher at Lucy T. Davis Elementary School, where she teaches all subjects.
She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2013 and her M.Ed. in learning disabilities in 2015 from FMU.
She completed her student teaching at Hannah-Pamplico Elementary School.
Shealy is a third grade teacher at Delmae Elementary School. She earned her bachelor’s in early childhood education in 1996 from FMU.
Prior to her employment at Delmae that began in 2007, Shealy taught in grades 2-4 at Main Street Elementary in Florence School District Three for 10 years.
Graves is the principal at Lucy T. Davis Elementary School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1996 and her master’s in elementary education in 2000 from FMU.
She also earned a master of educational administration in 2005 from the University of South Carolina.
