2008

Boler, Ferguson Named ECCC Instructors of the Year

Tanya Boler of Conehatta and Christy Ferguson of Philadelphoa were recently named Academic and Career– Technical Instructors of theYear, respectively, at East Central Community College in Decatur. They will be honored during the College's annual end-of-the– year faculty luncheon in May. An English instructor, Boler has bee.!!.employed at the Col– lege sonce 2002 and teaches English Composition I and II and Amencan Literature I and II. She has also held somilar positions at Union and Philadelphia high schools. When notified of her selec– tion, Boler said she was "hon– ored and humbled" by the distonction She saod she became a teacher because of her love of wntong. "I chose to be an English teacher because I have always loved to write and I am an ob– sessive reader. I wanted to somehow pass those skills on to students," Boler said. The vanety of her days is what Boler says she likes most about the held of education. "I rarely do the same thing two days 1n a row. I also enjoy knowing that when I do a good job, I am making the world a lit· tie better. Someone will be a better teacher, nurse, child care provideror electrician because I have done my best to teach him or her." A graduate of Union High School, Boler saod her own in– structors provided much influ– ence on her career. "Ms.Carol Shackelford (who now serves as chairman of the Communications Division at ECCC), Ms. Lynn Savell and Ms. Billoe Freeman at Union High School gave me a wonderful foundatoon on English and they each encouraged me to express myself on creahve writing, JOur– nalism and drama. "I was greatly Influenced by Mr. OvidVICkers and Dr. Richard Etheridge at ECCC. They showed meiU$1 how diverse ef· lECOCQ U:So,UCtUJtmJ oe: ·or Greg Ben: ey a; MSU (Moss•ss PPI S:a:e Ul'l'•ers~ was the pro'esso,. A"t.lc !':lCSt ~ nuenced m f !;ra:IW:e s:uc es He shov.ed ~e 0y exa-:J

guson's career.

Theta Kappa. the internattonal honor socoety of the two-year college, she receoved tne Re– gional HOfiZOn Award in 2003 and the Paragon Award in2004. · Dunng the three years that I was a PTK advosor. not only dod I receove awards, but our chapter was very suc– cessful. Their success was not because of me, but because of the hard work of the officers and members I was just glad to be a pan of theor success," Ferguson sa:d. Ferguson also serves as a co-advisor for Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity and has had numerous students place in state and national com– petitions "Each time I attend the awards ceremony for the state and natoonal conference I am always amazed at the lead· ership skills our EC students possess. I'm 1ust glad to take

part in their success also."

most exacttng and harshest in the grading of my papers dunng my entire college career." Boler added that former ECCC tnstructor and depart– ment chairman Linda Pierce was also her "unofficial" mentor for her entire career. "She was my student teach· ing supervisor, my department chair at Newton County High School and my division chair at ECCC for five years. Much of what 1 know about effective teaching I learned from Linda Pierce. I am quite indebted to her." Boler has also been hon– ored on various occasions In her career, including being named Star Teacher, the Good Apple Teacher's Award and a Lamp– lighter honoree, which honors outstandong community and jun· ior college instructors. In addi– tion, she was selected forWho's Who Among America's Teach– ers. "I think the years I was hon– ored as Star Teacer and was given the Good Apple Teacher's Award at Philadelphia Hogh School were themost affirming years lor me," Boler said. "Star Teacher is chosen by the Star Student and the Good Apple Award is chosen by the teach– ers. My fellow teachers and my students are the best judges of the quality of my teaching, and to be honored by the people who know what I do every day Is rewarding. "However, as a 2004 Lamp– lighter honoree, the three-day retreat with all the inspirational act1vities was just what I needed to be rejuvenated!" Boler is a 1985 graduate of East Central Community Col· lege and received bachelor and master's degrees from Missis– sippi Stale University. She is a member olthe MIS· sissoppt Council of Teachers of Enghsh and the National Coun– cil of Teachers of English.

Boler and her husband. R1cky, have two children, Corey and Alslin. Ferguson jooned the East Central staff in t 999 and serves as a Business and Office Tech– nology instructor. She teaches courses in medical transcription, machine transcription. micro– computer applications, desktop publishing, integrated computer applications, keyboardong and electronic spreadsheet. She previously served as an ad;unct instructor for East Mossisstppi Community College and Is a for– mer business education teacher at Central Academy in Macon. Upon receiving this honor, Ferguson said, "The Career Technical Division has wonder– ful instructors and to be selected from that group is an honor. I have never been a person to seek recognition. I have always encouraged the praise of others, so this is a humbling expenence for me to receive this award." The enjoyment of learning new technology helped push Ferguson towards a career in teachtng. 'While takong a busi– ness and computer technology course in high school, I knew I wanted to work with computers and hopefully encourage others to be successful members of so– ciety. I enjoyed learning the new technology and didn't want that feeling to cease; she said. · Ferguson also enjoys the changes that come woth each day in the classroom. "Every day is dtffer– ent. Although you teach the same course over and over again, with technology there are so many different ways to Incor– porate that into the students' everyday lives. "I also enjoy gettong to know my students and see theor success stones," she added. Famtymembershave been the most influentoal tn Fer-

"My first job was on the same town as where my father worked," Ferguson said · 1 had to travel by his place ol eiT'p'oy– ment in order to get to work. If I came by late, he would question me at the end of the day. I feel that he gave me a very strong work ethoc, not just to do my job, but to do more than what the job requires. "My husband and my mother were my support system during my years at college. I wcrked part·time, auended col– lege and had small children. They encouraged me to con· tinue my education. "Since I've been work– ing at East Central, my lamily continues to be very supportive." Ferguson has also re· ceJVed vanous honors and awards duflng her career. As a former advisor for Theta Xi C1apter of Phi

She was selected a Lampl ghter in 2006 and has been selected lor Who's Who Among Amenca's Teachers on three occasions. In addition, she •s a member of National Busoness Educators Association, IVtossis– soppi Business Educators Asso· coation. Mississippi Educational Computong Association, Ameri– canTechmcal Education Assoct– a!lon ar.d tne Phi Beta Lambda Pro'esstonal Division. A graduate of Nanth Waoya High School, she re· cetved the associate of arts de· gree from East Mississippi Community College and com· pleted bachelor and master's degrees in educato n from Mls· sissippt State University. She and her husband Jerry. have two daughters, Lear and Nocole.

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