Students support great teaching

By JILL AHO

Distinguished Teaching Awards were presented to three Mt. Hood instructors last week, with the college president and an entourage of well-wishers surprising the recipients as they went about a normal day.

Todd Hanna, an instructor in fisheries technology, said the award came as a total surprise. “I had no idea it was coming,’ he said. “It was very humbling, I never expected that to happen.” Hanna was going through practice interviews with students when the surprise came. The many witnesses included people from hiring agencies and second year students. Hanna said it was a very busy day, so he didn’t get to talk to too many of the students who nominated him, but that he got the chance to thank them. “I didn’t know they thought that much of me,” he said.

Anatomy and physiology instructor Melissa Gonzalez-McNeal said she had been told by a student that she had been nominated, but she didn’t expect to win. “Being a new instructor I’m still figuring things out,” she said. “This is a tremendous surprise and a tremendous, tremendous honor. I’m still speechless.”

Jack Brook, a science and nutrition instructor, said in an email, “On my desk I have a quote I received from one of my students which reads “to teach is to touch a life forever.” I look at this quote everyday when I arrive to school and it inspires me to make sure I give my students the highest quality possible, because this is what they deserve.”

Recipients of the Distinguished Teaching Awards were nominated by students. Winners are honored at the June 16 commencement ceremony and will be presented with a $500 check at the next Foundation Board Meeting.