WG Nunn Elementary School
Valdosta, GA
Mary Clare Duplantis Tarpley is the wife of Brad Tarpley and mother of Mary Margaret and Lucas. She and her family are members of First United Methodist Church. Tarpley graduated with a BS and MS in Early Childhood and Reading Education from Valdosta State University. She also obtained an EdS in Elementary Education. With 25 years experience in the field of education, she is currently an educator in the Program for Exceptional Children with Valdosta City Schools. Tarpley is an alumnae of Phi Mu Fraternity, proud supporter of the Valdosta Wildcats and VSU Blazers, active in The Rock Sunday School and Children’s Church, served on the Music Scholarship Alliance Board, has lead Relay for Life teams, participated in Dancing with the Stars VSU 2018, and has volunteered with her daughter as a buddy for Night to Shine since its inaugural prom. She advocates for children with special needs and has penned a book about her experience as a mother of a child with CAS. Whether it be in the classroom or in the community, Mary Clare has always had a passion to serve others. She proudly represented Second Harvest Food Bank and Jacobs’ Ladder as partner agencies of GVUW. Both hold a special place in her heart.