CVM Academy of Educators Honors Teaching Excellence
Four NC State College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff members have been honored for excellence in teaching by the college’s Academy of Educators (AoE).
During a ceremony in late June marking Education Day, the award recipients were Laura Nelson, associate dean and director of academic affairs; Amy Snyder, associate clinical professor of general practice; medical laboratory technician Kate Fiebrandt; and research associate Tiffany Pridgen.
The AoE, launched in 2019, fosters conversations and collaborations between veterinary medicine educators, encourages innovative teaching approaches, and provides support in clinical and classroom education, including curricular and instructional design.
AoE membership is open to all of the CVM community involved in educational activities, including faculty, staff, house officers, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and DVM students. AoE members nominated and voted on the award recipients.
“The Academy of Educators seeks to grow a supportive and collaborative community for improving our educational craft,” says Jesse Watson, AoE director and academic initiatives program manager at the CVM. “These awards are our small way of saying, ‘We see your effort, and thank you for it.’ There is no doubt that these recipients are all awesome educators.”
A closer look at this year’s AoE teaching awards:
Faculty Educator Award
Recipient: Laura Nelson
The Faculty Educator Award goes to a member of the faculty who has demonstrated exemplary educational skills in classrooms, clinics, research and graduate development, continuing education or mentoring. This person has comprehensive knowledge of their subject matter. Furthermore, this person motivates learners to grow by modeling a personal interest in developing their own teaching and curriculum. The faculty educator may contribute to the enhancement of educational activities and the college mission in other ways, such as promoting the development of staff and technicians.
Druley Award for Non-Faculty Educators
Recipient: Kate Fiebrandt
The Druley Award goes to a member of the staff, administrative or student body who has demonstrated exemplary educational skills in classrooms, clinics, research and graduate development, continuing education or mentoring. This person motivates learners to grow by modeling a personal interest in developing their own teaching and supporting the CVM curriculum. The educator may contribute to the enhancement of educational activities and the college mission in other ways, such as promoting the development of staff and technicians, or engaging their peers in growth activities. The award is named for Gail Druley, manager of the CVM’s Simulation Lab.
Educational Innovation and Service Award
Recipient: Amy Snyder
The Educational Innovation and Service Award goes to a member of the CVM community (faculty, staff or student) who has been a driving force for exploring new approaches in education. This drive may take the form of presenting, modeling, or researching educational ideas or solutions leading to growth. The strongest candidates have made efforts to share and disseminate their work to the rest of the CVM community as part of our shared mission to promote growth in innovative ways.
Wellness Ally Award
Recipient: Tiffany Pridgen
The Wellness Ally Award goes to a member of the CVM community (faculty, staff, resident or student) who has modeled an exemplary balance of work and wellness. This colleague has demonstrated care for self and others through a variety of methods and reminds us daily that professionalism includes doing what’s necessary to have a happy and healthy team. The wellness ally has worked to improve life for their team and the CVM community as a whole, thereby promoting success in our educational mission.
~Jordan Bartel/NC State Veterinary Medicine
