The OATYC recognizes and celebrates outstanding teaching in Ohio's two-year colleges. Each year at the conference, two awards are provided--one award for excellence in full-time teaching and one award for excellence in adjunct (part-time) teaching.

Wilkinson was nominated by her supervisor, Al Moore, Dean of General Education who states, “Luann Wilkinson willingly gives her heart and soul to education. Not only is she one of our college’s finest teachers, she has moved beyond our campus to provide leadership and innovation at the local and state levels.”

Joachim was also nominated by his supervisor, Debbie Stark, Associate Dean of Business and Information Technologies who says that “George makes his classes interesting by relating his experiences to the instruction, presenting students with weekly challenges, and guiding them in the development of their own business. Ultimately, each student finishes with a unique business plan with the tools George provides for them. He does a phenomenal job.”

Dennis Budkowski, Vice President, Instructional Services wraps up the honors by saying, “People sometimes are nominated for awards based upon longevity or likeability. Luann Wilkinson and George Joachim have been nominated by Marion Technical College as Ohio College Teachers of the Year because they exhibit a passion for teaching and learning, and have been evaluated to be master teachers by their peers and their students.”

Over 30 nominations were collected state-wide for the award, and the full-time and part-time nominees will be recognized and one winner will be chosen at the OATYC Conference 2008 on October 17, at Kent State University Tuscarawas.

Learn more about the OATYC at www.oatyc.org.