A New School Year, A New Generation of Salem State Educators

As a new school year begins, classrooms are welcoming a new generation of educators prepared to inspire, support and guide the next generation of students. Among them are the 147 graduates who completed their 2026 educator license program at Salem State University and were honored this spring at the 12th annual Sheila P. Kearney ’54, ’67G Educators Pinning Ceremony.

The annual tradition celebrates the accomplishments of Salem State’s newest educators and recognizes the faculty, alumni and school partners who help prepare them for the classroom. The ceremony is hosted by Salem State University’s Friends of the McKeown School of Education, the McKeown School of Education, the School of Graduate Studies, and the Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc.

The event also honored two alumni educators whose mentorship and partnership have made a significant impact on the preparation of future teachers.

Sarah Oakley ’11G, of Brickett Elementary School, received the McKeown School of Education Excellence Award for Supervising Practitioners. The award recognizes supervising practitioners who demonstrate exceptional mentorship, provide meaningful and actionable feedback, model best teaching practices, and positively impact the development of future educators through their unwavering commitment to student teachers.

Nicholas Markos ’10G, principal of Rupert A. Nock Middle School, received the McKeown School of Education Excellence Award for Partner Schools. Markos has dedicated nearly two decades to education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. He was recognized for his commitment to mentoring future educators and fostering school partnerships that support teacher preparation and professional growth.

With more than 24,000 alumni, the McKeown School of Education has a long history of preparing educators who make a difference in schools and communities. More than 285 educators graduated from the McKeown School of Education in the spring and entered the workforce as teachers and academic leaders committed to lifelong learning.

Now, as students return to classrooms across the region, the next generation of Salem State educators is embarking on a new chapter. For these graduates, the start of the school year is more than the beginning of a career; it is an opportunity to put their preparation into practice, build lasting relationships with students and become the educators their communities need.