Dr. Bridget Coleman Receives Award for Teaching Excellence

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Aiken, SC (02/22/2021) — Dr. Bridget Coleman has been recognized by the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (SC-AMLE) as the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award.

Coleman is a full professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken (UofSC Aiken). She earned her PhD from the University of South Carolina and her Master's and Bachelor's degrees from UofSC Aiken. She earned her National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics in 2003. She has taught many of South Carolina's children during her tenure in elementary and middle schools as a mathematics instructor. Currently, she works with teacher candidates in UofSC Aiken's School of Education. She serves as the Middle Level and Secondary Mathematics Program Coordinator at UofSC Aiken as well.

"I am so honored to receive the 2021 Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award," said Coleman, who was a middle school teacher for eight years. "I appreciate SCAMLE recognizing the work I do in middle grades education and teacher preparation. My time as a classroom teacher was filled with opportunities to challenge a wide range of learners. Through the years, I have been blessed to work with many outstanding educators. In my current role as Professor at UofSC Aiken, I am fortunate to have opportunities to connect with leaders in middle grades education locally, nationally, and across the world."

SC-AMLE noted Coleman is a dynamic educator with an undeniable passion for educating pre-service educators, as well as providing professional development to working professionals through graduate courses. "The effects of her continued service ripple through the system as we all work to attract and secure the educator talent in our state to the uniquely important of the middle level," the group said in its award announcement.

"Now, I am part of the channel bringing new teachers into the field of education," noted Coleman. "I am excited about bringing college students into the profession and providing the support they need to be the most innovative, dynamic teachers possible. I never want to forget what it's like to be a new teacher."

SC-AMLE established the Dr. Jennifer L. Wilson Teaching Excellence Award to honor the work of Dr. Wilson after her untimely death in 2011. She 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 passionate teacher and a tireless advocate for young adolescent education. The 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 in the area(s) or service, leadership, and/or research.

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