SALISBURY, N.C. — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College announced its 2018-2019 Excellence in Teaching award recipients at a recent board meeting.
The Excellence in Teaching award recognizes superior faculty who go above and beyond the expected levels of delivering instruction and improving educational excellence as demonstrated by student outcomes.
“Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is committed to excellence for our teachers and our students,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of the College.
Jessica Fowler, full-time mathematics instructor, has been a faculty member of the mathematics department at Rowan-Cabarrus for three years. Prior to Fowler joining Rowan-Cabarrus, she taught high school mathematics for six years between Albemarle High School and Jay M. Robinson High School. In addition to teaching mathematics, she is also a co-advisor for Phi Theta Kappa and a team leader for MAT 143, Quantitative Literacy.
Fowler holds a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Education.
“I became a math teacher to show others how fun and exciting math can be,” said Fowler. “I strive to create a positive learning experience where students feel comfortable asking questions and collaborating with their peers.”
She currently resides in Midland, N.C. with her husband and three-year-old twin daughters. Fowler enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, and hiking.
Leslie Pullen, the College’s part-time recipient, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a Master of Education in Science Instruction from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Pullen has been an adjunct lab instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus for the past 15 years. She currently teaches Anatomy I and II labs. She has also been a science teacher and administrator at North Hills Christian School, where she currently teaches Honors Chemistry.
“Science is my passion and I want to ignite a fire in my students to be curious and to investigate the unknown,” said Pullen. “I encourage my students to also seek a career that they too can be passionate about.”
Pullen is married with two grown children and one 11-month-old grandson. When she is not teaching or tutoring, Pullen spends time with her grandson, helping him to be curious about the world around him.
“We are very proud of instructors Jessica Fowler and Leslie Pullen for the commitment they have made to our community and our students,” said Spalding.
Students initiate the nomination process for this award annually by recommending their top instructors. Students then help narrow that pool of candidates by voting for their favorites who best represent the College’s instructor of the year. Final nominees are then required to submit an extensive portfolio, letters of recommendation and submit to an unannounced, filmed observation.
“Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has a long and proud tradition of hiring highly qualified and dedicated faculty in all of its academic programs,” said Dr. Michael Quillen, vice president of academic programs. “The faculty members selected for this year’s Excellence in Teaching Awards certainly are representative of this tradition. These faculty members, and many others, do a wonderful job of providing high-quality instruction to the students at Rowan-Cabarrus.”
For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu/apply or call 704-216-RCCC (7222). The College is currently accepting applications for spring semester, which begins on January 7, 2019.