Each spring, during a special in-service ceremony, Lone Star College-Kingwood rewards three hard-working instructors with the college’s top honor, the Faculty Excellence Award.
To qualify, faculty members are required to provide information on their professional development experiences; memberships and offices held in professional organizations or honorary societies; involvement in activities that promote the community, the college, or professional growth; a description of awards or grants received; and a short essay describing the individual’s teaching philosophy.
Samples of course syllabi and other appropriate documentation, including student comments, are collected and reviewed and each instructor is observed teaching during a regular class period. Recipients are selected by a committee comprised of last year’s winners.
This year’s winners are: Mari Omori, professor of art; Suzy Page, English professor; and Dr. David Putz, associate professor of political science and director of the College’s Honors Program.
“I am an art instructor and artist, but I consider myself to be a multi-role director and mother to my students,” Omori said. “Most of the art projects assigned to my students are subjectively, materialistically, and visually solved within the context, yet the problems in real life often go far beyond the classroom. I want my students to become creative/critical thinkers in life. I want my students to discover individual’s strength and power through creativity within.”
“One of the many benefits of teaching at Lone Star College-Kingwood is that students are able to see the community college as a source of growth and knowledge at all stages of their lives,” Page added. “I try to convey to students my belief in life-long learning. Whether I am training for a marathon, learning to master a headstand in yoga, or reading an exciting new novel, I share with them my learning victories and my learning obstacles. By joining the students in the never-ending journey of learning, I hope to convey the importance of continuing to grow and develop throughout life.”
“Considering the quality of the faculty at Lone Star College-Kingwood, I am so honored to be recognized for this award,” Page went on to say. “I am inspired on a daily basis by the dedication and enthusiasm of my colleagues. I credit their support and encouragement for allowing me to do my best each day to help students achieve their goals.”
Long-time political science professor, Putz, takes an interactive approach to student learning as his own experiences, as both student and instructor, have shown him that all in the classroom must be committed to the learning process in order for the student to succeed. Teaching allows him to add personal value to the learning process.
“I now have a responsibility to live up to the standards set by previous Faculty Excellence Award winners,” Putz continued. “Receipt of this award supports my career choice – to educate others – and that choice has been recognized and validated by my peers,” Putz said.
For general information about Lone Star College-Kingwood, call 281-312-1600 or visit our Web site at kingwood.lonestar.eduFor information on credit courses call 281-312-1613 and for Continuing Education call 281-312-1660.
Lone Star College System, one of the five largest and fastest growing community college districts in Texas, comprises Lone Star College-North Harris, Lone Star College-Kingwood, Lone Star College–Tomball, Lone Star College–Montgomery, Lone Star College–CyFair, six satellite centers and The University Center. For more information on the programs and services of the college district, please visit the Web site at www.lonestar.edu or call 832-813-6500.