2008 Woodie Awards
Nominate a distinguished instructor
Vice president of instruction Judy miner asks students to nominate the educator who most affected their education
Loriza Sasur
Issue date: 10/23/06 Section: Features
Monday, October 23, 2006
As a new school year is upon us, the De Anza College Distinguished Educator Award is also ready to make its debut for the 2006-2007 school year.
The award is presented by the Vice President of Instruction, Judy Miner, eight times during the school year, once a month from November to June.
According to the official Web site, the award is presented to educators who demonstrate "substantial, significant and sustained excellence, commitment and enthusiasm to the multifaceted aspects of teaching the diverse student population of De Anza College."
Miner came up with the concept of the award in 2004 from Terri O'Connor, De Anza's former director of Marketing and Communications. O'Connor suggested creating an award for outstanding educators.
Miner gave a presentation of the award to the De Anza College Commission, and they gave their full support. The award officially made its debut for November, 2004, with reading instructor, Ulysses Pichon. "Since then," said Miner, "the award really took off."
The award recipients reflect the wide array of subjects offered at De Anza, from Spanish to Automotive Technology. The award also recognizes non-traditional instructors. "It is important to acknowledge the teacher in the counselor or librarian, because they teach," said Miner.
"The common thread [in the recipients] is a passion for teaching, and a passion for serving students. They go above and beyond, and really set the gold standard for teaching."
Miner also notes that the award is particularly meaningful to the instructors because the award is "stimulated by the students."
"I [was] humbled by this honor," said math instructor, Diane Mathios. "I am so grateful to my students [and] also grateful to De Anza College and its faculty for its support of our work with students." Mathios was recipient of award in March 2005, and has one of the highest student success and retention rates in the math department. Factors like these are considered when deciding on the winner.
"This is what I want to stress: this is about what they do in the classroom," said Miner. "This is not about popularity, but student success."
The award is presented by Miner, and the close friends and colleagues of the winner, who surprise the winner in their classroom during one of their classes. Winners also get formal recognition during presentations at the De Anza Holiday Party and Spring Fling. As their prize, winners choose from Miner's collection of novels signed by the author, such as Amy Tan and Azar Nifisi. Winners also get a recognition with a personal profile of their educational success on the award Web site.
Nominations are accepted anytime, and are all kept on file for consideration each month. The nomination form is short, with questions such as "What are the most significant things you learned from this educator?" and "How has this person changed or influenced your life?" Faculty and other staff members are eligible to vote, but Miner stresses that student input is given the most weight when deciding the winner.
"I want to hear from students. Their voices are most important," Miner said. "I think that for students who receive outstanding educational experience, it's a chance for them to extend a token of their gratitude."
If you want to vote for an educator that made a difference in your life, visit the award web site for the nomination form at www.deanza.edu/instruction/dea_form.html.
As a new school year is upon us, the De Anza College Distinguished Educator Award is also ready to make its debut for the 2006-2007 school year.
The award is presented by the Vice President of Instruction, Judy Miner, eight times during the school year, once a month from November to June.
According to the official Web site, the award is presented to educators who demonstrate "substantial, significant and sustained excellence, commitment and enthusiasm to the multifaceted aspects of teaching the diverse student population of De Anza College."
Miner came up with the concept of the award in 2004 from Terri O'Connor, De Anza's former director of Marketing and Communications. O'Connor suggested creating an award for outstanding educators.
Miner gave a presentation of the award to the De Anza College Commission, and they gave their full support. The award officially made its debut for November, 2004, with reading instructor, Ulysses Pichon. "Since then," said Miner, "the award really took off."
The award recipients reflect the wide array of subjects offered at De Anza, from Spanish to Automotive Technology. The award also recognizes non-traditional instructors. "It is important to acknowledge the teacher in the counselor or librarian, because they teach," said Miner.
"The common thread [in the recipients] is a passion for teaching, and a passion for serving students. They go above and beyond, and really set the gold standard for teaching."
Miner also notes that the award is particularly meaningful to the instructors because the award is "stimulated by the students."
"I [was] humbled by this honor," said math instructor, Diane Mathios. "I am so grateful to my students [and] also grateful to De Anza College and its faculty for its support of our work with students." Mathios was recipient of award in March 2005, and has one of the highest student success and retention rates in the math department. Factors like these are considered when deciding on the winner.
"This is what I want to stress: this is about what they do in the classroom," said Miner. "This is not about popularity, but student success."
The award is presented by Miner, and the close friends and colleagues of the winner, who surprise the winner in their classroom during one of their classes. Winners also get formal recognition during presentations at the De Anza Holiday Party and Spring Fling. As their prize, winners choose from Miner's collection of novels signed by the author, such as Amy Tan and Azar Nifisi. Winners also get a recognition with a personal profile of their educational success on the award Web site.
Nominations are accepted anytime, and are all kept on file for consideration each month. The nomination form is short, with questions such as "What are the most significant things you learned from this educator?" and "How has this person changed or influenced your life?" Faculty and other staff members are eligible to vote, but Miner stresses that student input is given the most weight when deciding the winner.
"I want to hear from students. Their voices are most important," Miner said. "I think that for students who receive outstanding educational experience, it's a chance for them to extend a token of their gratitude."
If you want to vote for an educator that made a difference in your life, visit the award web site for the nomination form at www.deanza.edu/instruction/dea_form.html.
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