From heart surgeries to heart-safe schools: Meet WWAY’s October Teacher of the Month
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Inside a first grade classroom at Old Dock Elementary School, Mallory Furlow has spent years helping young students learn and grow. But behind her dedication to teaching is a personal story of family hardship, resilience and a commitment to helping others.
Furlow has been named WWAY’s Teacher of the Month for October, recognizing her work in the classroom and her efforts to improve cardiac emergency preparedness in Columbus County schools.
WWAY’s Jessica Keasling surprised Furlow at Old Dock Elementary with the honor.
Furlow has worked in education for more than a decade, spending the past three years teaching kindergarten and first grade at Old Dock Elementary.
Principal Leslie Faulk said Furlow is known for creating engaging lessons and sharing her experience with other educators.
“She’s a phenomenal teacher. She loves her kids. And not only does she spend extra time preparing lessons and making her lessons interactive and engaging for her students, but she goes above and beyond with her colleagues as well to share that knowledge with them and with new teachers,” Faulk said.
While helping students succeed in the classroom, Furlow was also facing serious challenges at home.
Her youngest son, John David, was born with a severe heart condition that required extensive medical treatment.
He spent 10 months in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, undergoing 10 open-heart surgeries and experiencing four cardiac arrests and three strokes.
During that time, Furlow was balancing her responsibilities as a mother of two, her teaching career and the renewal of her National Board Certification.
“So our youngest, John David, has had multiple cardiac arrests, multiple open heart surgeries. And so, one thing that was especially challenging was obviously that, but then it was time for my national boards to be renewed,” Furlow said.
As the family navigated months of hospitalization, Furlow’s fellow educators stepped in to help.
Teachers donated their own leave through a shared leave program, allowing Furlow to spend more time with her son while maintaining financial stability.
“So after an employee who’s going through a hardship burns all of their time, there’s something called shared leave. And then those who feel inclined can donate up to five days to somebody they’re not related to,” Furlow explained.
Her family’s experience also inspired her to help improve emergency preparedness in local schools.
Through Project ADAM, Furlow helped lead an effort to make every school in Columbus County a designated heart-safe school.
The initiative helped ensure schools have automated external defibrillators and trained cardiac emergency response teams prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Furlow remains focused on helping her students recognize their own potential.
“I want them to know that I want them to be the best them they can be. I don’t care what this child next to you can do. I don’t care what the child behind you can do. I want you to be better than you were the day before,” Furlow said.
Her impact has not gone unnoticed by her students.
One young student described Furlow’s dedication both inside and outside the classroom.
“I think she rocks at being a mom and a teacher,” the student said.
For Furlow, teaching goes beyond academics. Her experiences as a mother and educator have helped shape her commitment to supporting children, both in the classroom and throughout her community.
Nominate a Teacher of the Month
To nominate someone for WWAY’s Teacher of the Month, visit WWAYTV3.com. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage, look for “Contests” and click “Teacher of the Month” to recommend a teacher in the Cape Fear region.
