Early childhood development program instructor recognized by MnSCU as "Outstanding Educator"

Pine Technical College early childhood development program instructor and advisor Melissa Felland recently was honored at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Luncheon at the annual Excellence in Teaching awards event. Felland was among 33 MnSCU faculty members, pared down from a pool of more than 8,000, recognized at the event for their contributions to student learning and success. Felland received an Outstanding Educator award; her award is the first for PTC in the program’s five-year history.

“Melissa is a truly great instructor, and we feel lucky to have her. We are all very proud of her and thrilled she was recognized today for her dedication and commitment to students and their success,” says Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., President of Pine Technical College. “It’s well-known at PTC that Melissa is admired and greatly respected by not only her students, but staff, faculty, and everyone on campus,” Musgrove adds.

Felland has been teaching at PTC since Aug. 2002 in the college’s early childhood development program, where she also serves as the department chair. The program draws upon the latest research in child development and education and provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to work successfully with children and their families in a variety of settings and roles.

“I feel so honored to be a part of this,” Felland says. “While I’m proud to represent PTC in this way, to share the stage with so many of the state’s top educators is humbling,” Felland adds.

The awards program further pared down the system’s 33 outstanding educators and named four Educators of the Year from that pool. The Educator of the Year award is the system’s highest academic honor, and the 2011 winners are: Elizabeth Picciano of Central Lakes College; David I. Page of Inver Hills Community College; Pamela Anne Tranby of Riverland Community College; and Catherine Egenberger of Rochester Community and Technical College.

“I am proud we can highlight the depth of excellence of our faculty with these awards,” says MnSCU system Chancellor James H. McCormick, Ph.D. “The honorees exemplify what we value most in this system – high-quality teaching, service to students and community, and scholarship and professional expertise," McCormick adds.

Photo at top: Melissa Felland receives her Outstanding Educator award at the annual Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching awards ceremony. Pictured left to right: MnSCU Chancellor James H. HcCormick, PTC Instructor Melissa Felland, MnSCU Trustee Duane Benson.