FMU School of Education presents 2019 Educator Award

Francis Marion University School of Education honored an esteemed alumni at its annual Alumni Awards Reception on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The event, which is a part of the festivities of FMU’s Homecoming Week, brought scores of School of Education alumni back to the FMU campus.

This year’s honoree was Helen Walker (’04). She was honored with the prestigious Educator Award in recognition of her post-graduation achievements.

Walker received her Master of Education degree from FMU. As a teacher, Walker has won numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year for Kershaw County in 2012, the Marjorie Stands Music Educator of the Year in 2015. She was also named a semifinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2019.

Walker said she felt humbled to win the Educator Award.

“This is such an honor,” Walker said. “There are so many great teachers (from Francis Marion) and to be singled out like this is, well, it’s incredible.”

Walker is currently a music teacher at Doby’s Mill Elementary School in Elgin, S.C. She is originally from Birmingham, England and received her Bachelor’s degree from Wolverhampton University and her music teaching diploma from Thames University, London.