Terry Hand is normally an enthusiastic teacher. In fact, Ogeechee Technical College President Dawn Cartee said she’s never seen anyone with more energy than Hand, a computer information systems teacher at the school.
So when Hand was named as the 2007 Instructor of the Year Monday afternoon, he as ecstatic to win the honor.
“I’m on cloud nine right now,” he said moments after the announcement was made.
Hand was selected from among 51 instructors who nominated by faculty, staff or students at Ogeechee Technical College. He and Matthew Gainous were the two finalists after going through the competition process that included screening the candidates, interviewing them and then having an outside committee select the winner.
“This was only the second major interview I’d ever gone though,” said Hand. “The first was my interview to get hired here.”
Hand now advances to the regional competition held in Jesup in July where he’ll compete against the winners of five other technical schools in the district. From there, the winner will compete for the state title in Augusta in September.
“Terry, no pressure, but we want a winner,” Cartee joked after announcing Hand’s win.
The fact that students were involved in the nominations was especially meaningful to Hand, who said the reason he teaches is to try to make an impact on his students.
In addition to selecting the representative for the regional competition, Cartee said the annual instructor of the year award gives the school an opportunity to recognize academic excellence, “which is what we’re all about,” she said.
Regardless of what happens at the region competition, Hand will be invited to the state competition where he’ll get to meet the other winners from schools across the state.
So when Hand was named as the 2007 Instructor of the Year Monday afternoon, he as ecstatic to win the honor.
“I’m on cloud nine right now,” he said moments after the announcement was made.
Hand was selected from among 51 instructors who nominated by faculty, staff or students at Ogeechee Technical College. He and Matthew Gainous were the two finalists after going through the competition process that included screening the candidates, interviewing them and then having an outside committee select the winner.
“This was only the second major interview I’d ever gone though,” said Hand. “The first was my interview to get hired here.”
Hand now advances to the regional competition held in Jesup in July where he’ll compete against the winners of five other technical schools in the district. From there, the winner will compete for the state title in Augusta in September.
“Terry, no pressure, but we want a winner,” Cartee joked after announcing Hand’s win.
The fact that students were involved in the nominations was especially meaningful to Hand, who said the reason he teaches is to try to make an impact on his students.
In addition to selecting the representative for the regional competition, Cartee said the annual instructor of the year award gives the school an opportunity to recognize academic excellence, “which is what we’re all about,” she said.
Regardless of what happens at the region competition, Hand will be invited to the state competition where he’ll get to meet the other winners from schools across the state.