Excellence in Teaching Award 

2012 Excellence in Teaching Award

Each year, Western Piedmont Foundation honors a member of Western Piedmont Community College’s full-time curriculum faculty, nominated by his or her own peers and students, for dedication to the teaching profession.  Selection criteria recognize extraordinary efforts as a teacher; service to the profession, the College and the community; involvement with present and former students, and evidence of innovative or special efforts in teaching.

Michael Spath, (r) coordinator of Western Piedmont’s Life Science program in the Science, Engineering and Mathematics division, was recently named the College’s 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.

Michael Spath, Western Piedmont’s Life Science coordinator in the Science, Engineering and Mathematics division, recently received the 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award.  He brings a strong academic background to the classroom with a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Western Carolina University. 
 
The honoree received glowing nomination remarks from students and peers.  One student stated that Spath provides a variety of teaching methods to the College’s diverse student population to ensure that every student is included in the learning experience.   One of Spath’s colleagues offered that he “fully engages students as students and also as people while making a life-changing impact.”  In addition, Spath has one of the highest course instructor evaluations of all full-time faculty members within the academic division he teaches. 

Among the many professional efforts made by Spath in the last year include earning 129 hours of continuing education, greeting every student on the first day of class at the classroom door with a handshake; collaborating with another instructor on a common student-oriented project; effectively incorporating podcasting and comcasts in the classroom, and leading classes and Science club members on Service Learning opportunities and field trips.

Western Piedmont Community College enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in pursuit of college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees and diplomas.  More than 10,000 students enroll each year in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also provides programs for high school completion.  Western Piedmont received recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance based on standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly.