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 2025 Distinguished Educator Recognition Award may be made by EFSC faculty, staff, or currently enrolled students through Friday, November 22, 2024.
The online nomination form was due by that 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
2025 Timeline
The honoree nomination and selection process includes nominees submitting additional award application information and interviews following this timeline during the 2024-2025 academic calendar year:
Friday, November 22, 2024: Nominations due in the myEFSC Portal
Monday, December 2, 2024: Faculty nominees notified/provided application
Tuesday, February 25, 2025: Candidate applications are due
Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Candidate applications made available to the Professional Development Council
Wednesday, March 26, 2025: Individual council member ratings due to Council chairperson
Monday, March 31, 2025: Council recommendations due to Dean of Instruction
Monday, August 4, 2025: Awardee notified
The information below includes the previous winner's title, position and campus at the time the award was presented.
2024
Karen Peterson, Associate Professor
Computer Science, Melbourne
2023
Dr. Wendy McLallen, Associate Professor
English, Cocoa
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
Karen Peterson
Associate Professor, Computer Science
2024 Distinguished Educator
Peterson was honored for inspiring students in the classroom and her leadership role in the annual computer programming competition.
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