Educator of Year from CLC

Betsy Picciano is one of 4 in Minnesota
Betsy Picciano of Central Lakes College is one of four college instructors in Minnesota to receive the highest academic honor, the Educator of the Year Award, from the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Other Educator of the Year honorees are David I. Page of Inver Hills Community College, Pamela Anne Tranby of Riverland Community College, and Catherine Egenberger of Rochester Community and Technical College.
The four honorees were selected from among 33 Board of Trustees Outstanding Educators in the Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching award program. They are Paula Croonquist of Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Lori Halverson-Wente and Pam Whitfield, both of Rochester Community and Technical College and Mark Hickman of Dakota County Technical College.
“These faculty members demonstrate clear and consistent excellence in serving students and their communities,” said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees. “When Minnesotans are enrolling in our colleges and universities in greatly increasing numbers, it’s gratifying to
know that faculty like these are preparing them for the future.”
Chancellor James H. McCormick said: “I am proud that we highlight the excellence of our faculty with these awards. The honorees exemplify what we value most in this system - high-quality teaching, learning and service.”
CLC’s Nancy Smith, a health instructor, was among those nominated.
“The nomination and selection process is very rigorous and participants face tough competition from their colleagues throughout the MnSCU system,” said Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College, who attended the award event in St. Paul April 20.
President Lundblad had nominated Betsy and Nancy. “We are proud of our nominees and congratulate Betsy on her exceptional honor,” he said.
Picciano is an instructor of reading and college and career studies at CLC. Reviewers said her enthusiasm for educating students jumps off the pages of her portfolio. “She’s the type of instructor who can push her students in ways they didn’t know they could be pushed,” the Selection Committee announcement said.
“Her classroom techniques and ideas for serving the institution are ones that any teacher would want to borrow.”
Picciano’s use of the “Interview Stream” technology was cited as helping students
prepare carefully and realistically for getting a job. “She helps students understand their own strengths. Her use of a ‘contract’ teaches students the meaning of commitment and responsibility.”
Smith is retiring after 31 years.
The college’s enrollment is large enough to permit two nominees.
This is the fifth year that the board has presented its Excellence in
Teaching Awards. Each of the four honorees receives $5,000 and a
handcrafted medallion. A short video about the program featuring the
four award winners is available at botaward.mnscu.edu.