Seven Palo Alto faculty members received the 2007 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development awards for excellence during the Spring Faculty and Staff Convocation on Jan. 8.

Britt Benshetler, Adjunct Instructor of English; Theresa Garfield, Chair of the Behavioral Sciences & Humanities Department; Gloria Elaine Hilario, Librarian; Helen Kirk, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Christine Moczygemba, Adjunct Instructor of Education; Amanda Salinas, Assistant Professor of Administrative Computer and Technology; and Elizabeth Tanner, Chair of the Mathematics Department were recognized.

Britt Benshetler received the Teaching Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty-Daytime. “Ms. Benshetler builds classroom environments that sustain noteworthy learning,” Diana Nystedt wrote. Elizabeth Tanner and Theresa Garfield received the Teaching Excellence Award for Dedication and Persistence. Ellen Shull wrote of Tanner, “She makes math-phobics believe ‘I can do it’. Students come out of her classes smiling.”

Javier Aguirre, Faculty Senate President; Elizabeth Tanner, Chair of the Math Department; Honey Kirk, Math professor; Theresa Garfield, Chair of Behavioral Sciences, Humanities and Education; President Ana M. "Cha" Guzman; and Amanda Salinas, A.C.T. professor gather during the Spring 2007 Faculty/Staff Convocation to be recognized for their teaching excellence. Photo courtesy Palo Alto College's Public Relations.

“Theresa was a huge contributor to the Spring 2005 graduation rates, when Palo Alto saw its largest graduating class ever,” wrote Amie DeLeon.

The Teaching Excellence Award for Innovation and Creativity went to Amanda J. Salinas and Helen “Honey” Kirk.

“Amanda’s commitment to excellence in teaching is exemplified in her ongoing actions to analyze and evaluate student course feedback, retention data, grades, adjunct feedback, and use the information to develop and refine teaching methods and strategies,” wrote Elsa Anaya.

“Ms. Kirk enjoys high retention in her classes. She receives invitations to speak at math conferences throughout the U.S.,” wrote Diana Lerma.

Gloria Elaine Hilario received the award for Teaching Excellence-Librarian or Counselor. “She is continuing to use her talents and energy to plan, develop and coordinate new teaching and instructional initiatives in the Children’s Library, which not only serves the community children, but is increasingly becoming an educational teaching/learning resource for various PAC departments,” Irene Scharf wrote.

Christine Moczygemba received the Teaching Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty-Evenings and Weekends. “Her dedication to the students and her high expectations of their success has made the students not only better in their field, but strive towards attaining a bachelor’s degree,” wrote Theresa Garfield.

Another faculty member who received recognition was Assistant Professor of Government Oliver B. Jones, who received the “Starfish Award”. This award recipient is chosen by Palo Alto students, who nominate a faculty member they think has exceeded their expectations in the classroom and has had a positive impact on their lives.

Dinora Salas said she wasn’t sure what Government professor to choose. “I was told to take Jones by several people, so I took him for the second half and he was very helpful,” Salas said. “He would go out of his way to help anyone who was having trouble.”

Recipients will be presented with medallions on May 23 in Austin, Texas.

Oliver Jones, Government professor, is congratulated by Dr. Ana M. "Cha" Guzman, President, and Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, Student Activities Director. Photo courtesy Palo Alto College Public Relations Department.