Instructor Stacey Foster nominated Outstanding Educator

Pine Technical College liberal arts instructor Stacey Foster has been named Pine Technical College’s Outstanding Educator based on nominations by students, faculty peers, and staff members. Foster is one of 36 across the state to have earned the title – the others having earned the nomination from their respective MnsCU institutions. Foster, accompanied by PTC President Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., and Dean of Academic Affairs Joan Bloemendaal-Gruett, Ed.D., attended a statewide ceremony yesterday that recognized all nominees from across the state.

This is the seventh year of the awards program, and the April 17 event revealed the state’s top winners who took home gold, engraved medallions and the prestigious title Educator of the Year – MnSCU’s highest academic honor. Evaluation criteria included teaching strategies and materials; content expertise; service to students, the profession, institution and the system; and assessment of student learning and performance. The winning four faculty members, selected from the 36 campus-nominated Outstanding Educators, included Andrew Aspaas of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Dr. Alan Erdahl of Riverland Community College, Darci Goeden of Central Lakes College, and Susan Thaemert of Hennepin Technical College.

“These faculty members have all gone well beyond expectations to provide support to their students in achieving their academic goals,” said Clarence Hightower, MnSCU Board of Trustees Chair, while addressing the crowd at the April 17 event. “Student success depends upon the kind of faculty we have with us here; they teach creatively, they work to ensure successful student learning outcomes, they strive to create unique and lasting learning experiences, and they open students’ eyes to what’s possible in their lives as global citizens.” Hightower added.

Foster began her academic career at PTC in July, 2004 as the Executive Assistant to the President, and after earning her master’s degree in fine arts, Foster transitioned into a faculty role in Jan. 2008. Foster currently teaches ENGL 1276: College Composition, READ 210: Reading Strategies II, and ENGL 220: Writing Foundations II; plus, Foster will be teaching additional courses this fall term, adding ENGL 100: Writing Foundations I and READ 100: Reading Strategies I to her courseload.

Foster holds a bachelor’s of applied arts (B.A.A.) from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and a master’s in fine arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing from Hamline University. Foster’s hobbies include reading and writing original poetry, as well as writing creative nonfiction; some of which have been published in various literary media. Foster says she is honored to have been nominated as PTC’s Outstanding Educator.

“I am honored and humbled to have been nominated to represent PTC as this year’s Outstanding Educator,” says Foster. “The nomination means a lot to me, particularly because there are so many excellent instructors at PTC who take teaching very seriously. Plus, to share the stage with so many like-minded educators who are enthusiastic about teaching and maximizing students’ learning is wonderful – this awards event is about being a part of something bigger,” Foster adds.

Photo at top: PTC's 2013 Outstanding Educator, Instructor Stacey Foster.