Contact Info
Katina Gothard, PhDChair, Professional Development Council
gothardk@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5223
Distinguished Educator Award
The Distinguished Educator Recognition Award, coordinated by EFSC's Professional Development Council, is open to full-time faculty and librarians at EFSC. It is awarded annually to a colleague who has demonstrated commitment, creativity, and ingenuity in serving EFSC students as they work to meet their degree and educational goals.
This prestigious honor includes a $1,500 cash prize made possible by the generous support of the Eastern Florida State College Foundation.
Because this is a lifetime achievement honor, previous recipients of the award are not eligible for nomination. Final candidates will be selected by the Professional Development Council. Review the tabbed box for information on the nomination process, criteria, detailed nomination and award timeline, plus past award recipients.
Nominations for the Distinguished Educator Recognition Award may be made by EFSC faculty, staff, or currently enrolled students. Nominations must be made through the writable 2024 form which can be downloaded below.
Email your completed form to cetl@easternflorida.edu by the Friday, February 9, 2024 deadline.
Please see the Timeline tab for additional dates and deadlines during the next phase of the award process.
A Distinguished Educator:
- Demonstrates professional expertise
- Incorporates best practice with teaching and assessment in the classroom
- Self-reflects and engages in regular professional development to improve their practice
- Collaborates with colleagues to develop and improve curriculum, teaching, and student performance
- Engages with the students outside of the classroom, such as through mentoring, tutoring, and/or co-curricular activities
2024 Timeline
The honoree nomination and selection process includes nominees submitting additional award application information and interviews following this timeline during the 2023-2024 academic calendar year:
Friday, February 9, 2024: Nomination Forms are Due to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning via email: cetl@easternflorida.edu
Tuesday, February 13, 2024: Faculty nominees notified/provided application
Thursday, March 21, 2024: Candidate applications due to CETL
Friday March 22, 2024: Candidate applications made available to the Professional Development Council
Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Individual council member ratings due to Council chairperson
Monday, April 15, 2024: Council recommendations due to Dean of Instruction
Thursday, August 1, 2024: Awardee notified by Dean of Instruction
The information below includes the previous winner's title, position and campus at the time the award was presented.
2022
Tony Akers, Associate Professor
English & Humanities, Online
2020
Marina Baratian, Professor
Behavioral Science, Melbourne
2019
Carrie Wells, Assistant Professor
English, Palm Bay
2018
Susan Houts, Associate Professor
Speech and Communications, Palm Bay
2017
Sharon Cronk-Raby, Assistant Professor
Writing Center Coordinator, Melbourne Campus
2015
Dr. Ashley Spring, Assistant Professor Biology, Melbourne Campus
2014
Laura Earle, D.V.M., M.P.H., CPH, C.A.C.
Professor, Program Manager
Veterinary Technology, Cocoa Campus
2008
Mark McBride, Associate Professor
English, Palm Bay Campus
2007
Ben Brotemarkle, Professor
Humanities, Titusville Campus
2006
Deborah McClinton, Assistant Professor
Chemistry, Melbourne Campus
2005
Kathelyn Patria, Instructor
English, Titusville Campus
2002
Linda Krupp, Professor
Education, Cocoa Campus
2001
Susan Phillips, Assistant Professor
Biology, Palm Bay Campus
2000
Rita Hallock, Assistant Professor
Allied Health Technologies, Cocoa Campus
1999
Beverly Slaughter, Associate Professor
Communications, Melbourne Campus
1998
James Yount, Professor
Biology/Physical Sciences, Titusville Campus
1997
Don Argo, Professor
Mathematics, Cocoa Campus
1996
Lin Osborne, Professor
World Religions, Cocoa Campus
1995
Betsy Baughan, Assistant Professor
Child & Family Studies, Cocoa Campus
1994
Rolf Sohn, Instructor
Science, Cocoa Campus
1993
Jane Kennedy, Professor
Reading/Study Skills, Cocoa Campus
1992
Susan Lamm-Merritt, Associate Professor
Fashion Merchandising, Melbourne Campus
1991
Jeff Reynolds, Associate Professor
Music, Melbourne Campus
1990
Miguel Olivella, Professor
Spanish, Cocoa Campus
1989
Mary Nardo, Associate Professor
Communications, Titusville Campus
Dr. Wendy McLallen
Associate Professor, English
2023 Distinguished Educator
Dr. McLallen was honored for her work inside and outside the classroom in areas such as course planning and professional development.
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