College Announces 2023 Excellence in Teaching Recipients
(April 19, 2023) – Alamance Community College has announced the recipients of its 2023 Excellence in Teaching Awards.
JANET BYRD, Nurse Aide Instructor – 2023 Ronald L. McCarter Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient
Janet Byrd has taught in ACC’s Nurse Aide department for 12 years, where she uses an eclectic blend of teaching methods to meet their learning needs: real-world scenarios, simulations, role playing, and video demonstrations. She has served on hiring committees, advisory boards, participated in ACC career fairs, made presentations on behalf of the Nurse Aide department including demonstrating IV skills to students in Medical Assisting program.
Her background in education and nursing allowed her to work in various fields of nursing including school nursing, long term care geriatrics, surgical, operating room, ophthalmology, oncology research and hospice care.
“Ms. Byrd is a very dedicated educator who has her students’ best interest at heart. She is very informative, accommodating and provides support to all of her students. Her ultimate goal is to see all her students succeed,” wrote one student in Byrd’s nomination.
Byrd has been a Registered Nurse for 19 years, is CPR/BLS Certified, and is a member of the NC Nurses Association. A 2004 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Byrd earned a Bachelor of Science in a 14-month accelerated program in the School of Nursing. She also has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University.
JENNIFER DURHAM, Health Instructor – 2023 Adjunct Instructor of the Year Recipient
Jennifer Durham has worked as a Personal Health and Wellness instructor at ACC for 14 years. Under her tutelage, students explore all aspects of health including physical, mental, social and environmental health and all of the factors that influence health including genetics, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, social connections, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices.
“Mrs. Durham was the best teacher I had last semester,” wrote one student in Durham’s nomination. “She had the best answers to all my questions and …voluntarily used personal examples to help us understand the material. She allowed every student to share their own opinions, which made our class feel comfortable to speak on the material and helped me to learn.”
Durham has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She worked as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant before earning her Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Janet and Jennifer are excellent examples of what is possible when it comes to effective teaching and learning. Our students and college are fortunate to have them as members of our faculty,” commented ACC President Dr. Algie Gatewood.
Both Byrd and Durham will for formally honored at the college’s Celebrating Excellence Awards dinner in late May.