Two educators from Irmo Middle School have been recognized by the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Educators for their excellence in middle-level education.
Dawson Tate, a geometry teacher, received the 2026 Innovation in Practice Award, while eighth-grade math teacher Gracie Bradley was named a Promising Educator to Watch. The awards were announced at SCAMLE’s annual conference in Myrtle Beach, where educators from across the state were honored after being nominated by their peers.
The Innovation in Practice Award includes a $500 grant and recognizes educators who bring creative and forward-thinking approaches to the classroom. The award encourages teachers to take risks and implement new strategies to better meet the needs of middle school students.
“I am truly honored to receive the Innovation in Practice Award from SCAMLE,” Tate said. “It means a great deal to be recognized for efforts to make mathematics teaching engaging and meaningful for students. I’m always looking for ways to help students discover mathematics through task-based instruction and develop a deep, lasting understanding of the concepts they are learning.”
Tate plans to use the grant funds to purchase classroom materials that support a discovery-based approach, allowing students to engage in hands-on explorations and interact with mathematical concepts in meaningful ways.
The Promising Educator to Watch Award recognizes outstanding early-career teachers who demonstrate effective instructional strategies and a strong commitment to student development. Candidates must be within their first three years of teaching.
“It feels like such an honor to be recognized in my first year of teaching,” Bradley said. “This recognition reflects the incredible support system around me—from my mentor teacher and administration to my team and colleagues across the school and district. It truly feels like I’ve joined a family of educators who encourage me to do my best every day.”
SCAMLE is the only professional organization in South Carolina dedicated specifically to middle-level education. Established in 1976, the nonprofit supports more than 225 member schools and is affiliated with the Association for Middle Level Education.
