FMU School of Education

05/08/2026

As we finish up Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to recognize our newest teachers. Congratulations to this wonderful group! Tomorrow they graduate as SC certified teachers in Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary English, or Secondary History!

05/04/2026

We are proud of and thankful for all of our former students who are now teaching, for our cooperating teachers who serve every semester, and for our SOE faculty who pour into our students!
If you're a SOE alum, leave us a comment sharing one of your favorite teacher moments or share about a favorite teacher!

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Karen Fries, Professor of Education, for receiving the university's Service Award! Your service to the university is appreciated, and we are so happy that you've been recognized for it!

FMU recognized four faculty members for their outstanding work during the university’s annual faculty awards night at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence.

Dr. Allison Munn, Associate Professor of Nursing, was awarded the Charlene Wages Shared Governance Award by the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Three faculty members were honored for their outstanding individual work during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Dr. Nathan Harness, Assistant Professor of Biology, received the Award for Excellence in Teaching; Dr. Erica Johnson, Associate Professor of History, was honored with the Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship; and Dr. Karen Fries, Professor of Education, received the Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

📷Left to Right: Dr. Nathan Harness, Dr. Erica Johnson, FMU President Fred Carter, Dr. Karen Fries, and Dr. Allison Munn.

Read more ➡️ https://www.fmarion.edu/fmu-faculty-recognized-at-2025-2026-awards-ceremony/

04/24/2026

*Current student teacher, Amelia Shock, presenting at FMU's Research & Exhibition Day on the positive effects of flexible seating in the classroom*
What a great study and accomplishment!

04/24/2026

Congratulations to FMU double-alum, MyKenna Blankenship, for becoming the Teacher of the Year at Bay Road Elementary in Hartsville! MyKenna completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees through the School of Education and was also a SC Teaching Fellow!

04/23/2026

It's great seeing our preservice teachers being recognized at the State House as they practice advocating for public education!

I love getting to hear from the next generation of teachers. Last week, Elementary Education students from Francis Marion University visited the Statehouse and shared how public policy can better support them, and the students they’ll one day serve.

Charisee and I are grateful for voices like theirs that help guide the work we do!

04/21/2026

We want to congratulate and welcome the newest members of the Sigma Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the premier National Profession Association and Honor Society for Educators! Dr. Lindsay Simmons and Dr. Krystin Williams presided over this evening's ceremony, with special remarks by Dr. Lowry, Dean of School of Education.
Undergraduate New Members: Blair Booker, Malena Harrell, Jahzara Odasco, Jazmyne Parnell, Amelia Tennis-Shock, and Azayvya Wright

Our online graduate initiates will be participating in an online ceremony. Congratulations to Shirley Bellamy, Danielle Boyd, Paula Marchildon, Kristen Oeller, and Dianelli Snapp!

04/21/2026

Please join us in congratulating another former FMU School of Education graduate!
Congratulations, Sarah!

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Sarah Smith and our Support Staff of the Year, Mrs. Heather Jackson. JES is blessed to have these two staff members at our school!

04/17/2026

The National Association for the Education of Young Children celebrates the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) every year during April. Each day has a theme. Early Childhood Teacher Candidates in Block B celebrated Music Monday with first graders in Ms. Ebony Gilliard's class at North Vista Elementary. Candidates planned and taught a collaborative lesson about the plant life cycle to support student engagement with the Next Generation Science Standards Science and Engineering Practices (developing and using models, asking questions, and planning and carrying out investigations). They made it musical by using a song to support students in learning about the stages of seed, sprout, seedling, and adult plant. Students used real magnifying glasses to observe sprouted lima beans then created a model of the plant life cycle. This lesson culminates a 5-week experiential learning opportunity thanks to the generous hospitality of North Vista Elementary, Principal Dixon, STEM Lab Teacher Mr. Garry Livingston, Ms. Gilliard and her most amazing first graders!

04/17/2026

Early Childhood Teacher Candidates in Block A celebrated Work Together Wednesday with preschoolers at the Richardson Center for the Child by collaboratively designing an 'Olympic' obstacle course to support the children's physical and social development. Children practiced alternate feet stepping, hopping and jumping through hula hoops and an agility ladder, moving under and over a bar (pool noodle), balancing on a block cushion 'beam', and throwing a bean bag through a hoop. Children worked together by taking turns and cheering on their friends! To end the morning, everyone (children and adults) worked together to make waves with the parachute. They enacted concepts such as fast/slow, large/small then had to work hard to pop all the popcorn (bean bags) off the parachute! In recognition of Family Friday, candidates created a take home newsletter for the children's families to explain what they did at school and how to extend the activities at home.