Education

1991 Florida State University, B.S.
1997 University of South Florida, M.Ed.

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Courses Taught

Elementary Education Practicum III
Elementary Education Practicum IV
Elementary Education Practicum IV Seminar

Career Specialties

Merrie Tankersley's area of specialty is overseeing student teaching placements in elementary schools, ensuring that aspiring educators receive valuable hands-on experience and mentorship to foster their growth as future teachers. Through careful coordination and support, she strives to create a nurturing environment where both students and teachers can thrive in their educational journeys.

Professional and Community Activities

Tankersley's research activity primarily focuses on mentoring future teachers (student teachers/interns) to enhance their professional development and effectiveness in elementary classrooms. Through qualitative methods, she investigates the impact of the student teaching experience and the intricacies of mentor-mentee relationships, examining how these interactions influence teaching practices and the overall learning experience of elementary students and UT interns.

Tankersley seeks to identify best practices in mentorship and teaching methodologies, emphasizing the importance of tailored, one-on-one support, ongoing feedback and the role of emotional and instructional guidance in the mentorship process. By utilizing effective mentorship strategies in the UT Teacher Education Program, her work contributes to the local education community and schools by supporting the UT interns in implementing highly effective teaching methods and strategies to make learning gains with the students in their assigned internship classrooms.

Tankersley works closely with the Hillsborough County Public Schools Clinical Team and serves as a liaison between the school district and The University of Tampa Education Department, to ensure that final interns have positive learning experiences that will prepare them for teaching diverse students in 21st century classrooms.

Honors and Awards

Recipient of the Richard Piper Service Award for the College of Math, Education and Social Sciences
Recipient of Part-Time Faculty Member of the Year Award for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Selected for Marquis Who’s Who in American Education publication
Gorrie Elementary “Teacher of the Year”