School District Five educators earn honors from SC Association for Middle Level Educators

For Immediate Release – March 13, 2026

School District Five educators earn honors from SC Association for Middle Level Educators

IRMO – Two Irmo Middle School educators earned special honors from the S.C. Association for Middle Level Educators (SCAMLE).

Dawson Tate, a Geometry teacher at Irmo Middle School, recently earned recognition with the 2026 Innovation in Practice Award. Gracie Bradley, an eighth grade math teacher, was named a Promising Educator to Watch. SCAMLE announced these awards and others at its Annual Conference held in Myrtle Beach. Award recipients were nominated by peers across the state for their dedication to middle level education.

The Innovation in Practice Award, which comes with a $500 grant, provides recognition and financial support for a teacher working to bring innovative ideas to the classroom, according to the SCAMLE. The intent is to encourage “risk-takers” to bring new ideas to the table in order to meet the needs of middle level students.

“I am truly honored to receive the Innovation in Practice Award from SCAMLE,” Dawson 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 and resources that support this discovery-based approach. These materials will help provide students with hands-on explorations and investigations that allow them to interact with mathematical ideas in creative and meaningful ways.

SCAMLE established the Promising Educator to Watch Award to recognize outstanding educators across the state who demonstrate excellence in middle-level teaching.

To be eligible for this recognition, candidates must be in their first three years of middle-level teaching experience and demonstrate the consistent use of effective instructional strategies that support the academic and developmental needs of every student.

“It feels like such an honor to be recognized in my first year of teaching,” Gracie Bradley said. “To me, this recognition represents the incredible circle of people who have supported me since my first day. From my mentor teacher and administration to my team, our math department, and friends across my school and the district, it truly feels like I’ve stepped into a family of educators who encourage me to bring my best every day. I couldn’t do it without them!

SCAMLE is the only professional organization in South Carolina with a focus on middle grades schools, teachers and students. With well over 225 member schools, the association’s mission is to ensure all middle level educators are provided with strong support and opportunities for growth and development. Established in 1976, SCAMLE is a nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).

"Mr. Tate and Ms. Bradley are valued members of the Irmo Middle School family," Irmo Middle School Principal Mansa Joseph said. "Mr. Tate consistently finds creative and engaging ways to ensure that students truly understand mathematics. His expertise in geometry and his ability to design challenging, meaningful learning experiences allow him to stretch and support some of our highest-level learners. He does an outstanding job preparing students for the academic transition to high school while maintaining high expectations and strong relationships with his students. One of the most common compliments we hear about Ms. Bradley is the welcoming and well-managed classroom environment she creates. Her classroom is a place where students feel supported, challenged, and capable of success. She thoughtfully builds a culture of positivity and growth mindset that encourages all learners to engage and develop confidence in themselves. We are proud of these teachers for earning these honors which are well deserved!"

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