Tammy Brown '26

Tammy Brown ’26 has been awarded a spring 2026 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship by the Watson College of Education. She will graduate in May with a degree in elementary education.

Originally from Coats, North Carolina, Brown proudly served in public schools for more than 20 years as a teacher assistant and bus driver before enrolling in the program.

“I chose to become a teacher because I have always felt called to work with children and make a lasting difference in their lives, especially in the early grades, where foundational skills and confidence are built,” she said.

Brown said she selected UNCW’s Watson College of Education for its strong reputation, supportive faculty and meaningful field experiences that truly prepare teacher candidates for the classroom.

“My professors, coursework and field experiences have helped me grow tremendously,” she said. “Through lesson planning, coaching cycles and hands-on classroom practice, I have strengthened my instructional delivery, classroom management and differentiation for diverse learners.”

She is completing her internship in a kindergarten classroom at Union Elementary School, and said the scholarship came at an important time during her full-time internship.

“The Hattie M. Strong scholarship is truly an honor” she said. “It relieves financial stress and allows me to focus fully on becoming the best educator I can be for my students.”

She looks forward to leading her own classroom and is especially passionate about early literacy and creating inclusive environments where all students feel seen, valued and capable of success.

About the Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Awards

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation has helped aspiring students achieve a college degree since 1928. Today, HMSF’s primary activity is to provide scholarships for students enrolled in teacher training programs at partnering institutions to help ease financial pressures during the full-time student teaching semester.

The Watson College of Education became a HMSF partner in 2013, joining a select group of institutions across the country. Through the partnership, WCE awarded four $5,000 scholarships to teacher interns for the Spring 2026 semester.