Dr. Tammy Pawloski has led more than 1000 professional learning events for teachers, school leaders, and stakeholders. She understands the challenges and opportunities of teaching and has devoted more than fifteen years to the study of children of poverty—why they struggle and which strategies have the greatest impact. Pawloski is a noted expert because of her breadth of knowledge. However, what resonates most with teachers and school leaders is her ability to deliver an uncommon combination of research, practice, and compelling stories from the field that both empower and challenge.
Tammy Pawloski grew up in the impoverished areas of rural South Carolina, and, after earning an undergraduate degree in early childhood education from The University of South Carolina-Aiken, she returned to the region to teach kindergarten, first, fourth, and fifth grades.
Pawloski earned her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, and she currently holds a dual appointment of Professor of Early Childhood Education and Director of the Center of Excellence to Prepare Teachers of Children of Poverty at Francis Marion University.
Prior to joining the faculty of FMU, she served in a similar capacity on the Columbia, Aiken, Salkehatchie, and Beaufort campuses of The University of South Carolina, and at Ventura College and Pepperdine University in Southern California.
In addition to her work with under-resourced students, Dr. Pawloski’s research interests include family, school, and community partnerships and best practices in early childhood education.