MnSCU Board of Trustees Names Four Educators of the Year Winners selected from among 36 Outstanding Educators
ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees presented the system’s highest academic honor, the Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching, to four faculty members. They are Andrew Aspaas of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Dr. Alan Erdahl of Riverland Community College, Darci Goeden of Central Lakes College, and Susan Thaemert of Hennepin Technical College.
The MnSCU Board of Trustees bestows the award to acknowledge and reward exceptional professional accomplishment and to encourage ongoing excellence in teaching. The winners were selected from 36 faculty members named Outstanding Educators by the presidents of their respective institutions based on nominations by students, faculty peers or staff. Evaluation criteria include: content expertise and professional growth; teaching strategies and materials; assessment of student learning and performance; and service to students, the profession, the institution, and the system. This is the seventh year of the awards.
“These faculty members have all gone well beyond expectations to provide support to their students in achieving their academic goals,” said Clarence Hightower, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Student success depends upon the kind of faculty we have with us here; they teach creatively; they work to ensure successful student learning outcomes, they strive to create unique and lasting learning experiences, and they open students’ eyes to what’s possible in their lives as global citizens.”
“The work done by our faculty and staff is what makes Minnesota State Colleges and Universities a tremendous state resource,” said Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor. “We are here today to recognize and honor our award winners for their commitment to quality and excellence. These leading scholars and professionals teach creatively and with passion in service to their students, their colleagues, their colleges and higher education.”
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving more than 430,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.
http://clcnewsblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/outstanding-educators.html