2009

Pilgrim selected EC ''Instructor of the Year'' Kristie Pilgrim of ~nion, surgical'technolog)· mstructor, was recently selected Academic and Caree r-Techni cal Instructor of the Year respectively, at East Central Community College in Decatur. Pilgrim said, "As long as I can remember I knew that I was destined to teach. Even as a young child I would read to my dolls and conduct class– room lessons on a chalk– board.'" Pilgrim is currentlv in her e ighth vear as~ an instructor in the College's Surgical Technology pro– gram. Prior to joining the ECCC staff, she was employed in the Labor and Delivery and Surgery Departments at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian. She has also held positions at Rush Medical Group and Southern Healthcare. Agency at Universitv of Mississippi Medical Center. "I am e:>..--tremelv hum– bled and gracious.·· she said. '·I know that I would not be where I am today '"ithout good mentor::..., • . Pilgrim says her career influences began in high school with several of the instructors that she now

has the privilege of culUng co-wot·ke rs. Pilgrim added that she would not be where she is today without her col– league and best friend LeAnn Shirley. "She has always been there to answer questions, show me direction and offer wonderful advice these past eight year s. 1 cannot begin to describe how much l have learned from he1· and her mentor– ship. I am blessed to be able to work with someone who share my values and teaching techniques and encourages me daily. Pilgrim said she is dis– com·aged when she thinks about the constant budget cuts that _are being made to the community colleges. She has participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life ro1· two years and is a member of the choir al Neshoba Baptist Church in Union. She and her husband Todd, are the parents 0 { two-and-a-half-year-old twins, Macie CaraUne and Mason Thomas. The ram– il:. resides in Union.

APPEARED IN:

NESHOBA DEMOCRAT ------ NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL / WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL --- CLARION-LEDGER - -------

CARTHAGINIAN ------- SCOTT COUNTY TIMES ------ SPIRIT OF MORTON ------ MERIDIAN STAR --------