Two Florence School District 3 educators received state literacy awards by the Palmetto State Literacy Association at the organization’s annual conference in Hilton Head on February 24.
Mary Howard was presented the 2023-24 Distinguished Literacy Administrator Award and Ashley Eaddy received the Distinguished Teacher of Literacy Award.
The PSLA Distinguished Literacy Administrator Award is given to outstanding school administrators who promote literacy in South Carolina while the Distinguished Teacher of Literacy Award is presented to an outstanding teacher who promotes literacy through teaching service.
Mrs. Howard has served in a number of educational roles in her 23-year career. She currently is FSD3’s Director of K-8 Curriculum and Instruction. She also has served as an early childhood teacher, assistant principal and principal. In addition, she has served in a variety of roles as mentor and master teacher with the Teacher Advancement Program, lead teacher, afterschool and summer school coordinator, and instructional coach.
Mrs. Howard has served on local and state committees and as a principal mentor, principal lead, early childhood coordinator, math team lead and MTSS district lead. She also has been an adjunct professor at Florence-Darlington Technical College since 2013.
Ms. Eaddy is a 19-year veteran educator who has been in FSD3 as a teacher for 15 years and has taught English/language arts at J.C. Lynch Elementary for eight years. She also has served as a literacy coach. Ms. Eaddy is the school’s Lighthouse Team Coordinator and The Original Six Academic After-School liaison.