2015

WEEK OF _ ___ _____

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ECCC's Academic, Workforce Education Instructors of the Year announced Special to The Star He said his favorite part about being an educator is the stu– dents he comes in contact with every day.

DECATIJR - Pam Fowler and Luke Howell. bot11 of Union, have each received East Central Community College's highest recognition for instructors. Fowler was selected Academic Instructor of the Year. and Howell Workforce Education Instructor of the Year. "This is without a doubt the most prestigious and personally–

"I enjoy getting to know my students and teaching them a trade they can use to oe successful in life," Howell said. He said he felt honored to receive such an award as Instructor of the Year. "J take pride in my job as I believe most teachers do. I am thankful the teachers surrounding me think so highly of me." Since he began his tenure at ECCC, Howell said he has been given many great opportunities. "I have been to Kansa' City, Mo., for the national SkillsUSA competition, Tacoma. Washington, to an I-BEST conference and to Houston for a Pittsburg Paints & Glass paint certifica– tion class, he said. "I have always enjoyed taking students to the SkillsUSA state competition. Students always seem to work al a higher level during the competition. I believe it helps a student realize their true potential. I also enjoy talking to former students who are employed in the collision repair field." Howell knows personally what the competitions mean to his students because he competed

rewarding recognition I have ever received in my teaching career," Fowler said upon her selection. ul am extremely grateful to my peers for their support and friendship." An English instructor at EMCC since 2007. Fowler has taught a variety of English classes - including Intermediate English. English Composition I and II and World Literature I and II. "I enjoy my job every day," she said. "I learn something every day. I find something to smile about every

when he was a student in the colli– sion repair technology program at ECCC. Howell was a first-place winner in collision repair technology during both years of competition in the Mississippi SkillsUSAContest and finished as high as seventh in the national event. A graduate of Newton County High School, Howell holds two degrees from ECCC: an associate in arts in music received in 2005 and an associate in applied science in collision repair in 2007. Howell credits one of his ECCC instructors for influencing his

Fowler

day. \\bat more could I ask for?" Fowler said she decided long ago that she wanted to be in the field of education. ··1 was blessed with some very good teachers and role models that paved the way for my future," she said. "I really enjoy the relationships that coincide with teaching. Over the years, I have had several students touch my life in all avenues of teaching and learning. These students are the ones who have taught me patience and understanding that 1 may never have learned otherwise." Fowler said although her parents were major influences on her decision to become an educator, it is her co-workers and students who keep her motivated and positive in the continu– ance of her career. Prior to joining the faculty of ECCC, Fowler was efuployed with the Neshoba Central School District, East Mississippi Community College, Union Separate School District and Lake High School. She has 21 years of teaching experience. She is also a Mississippi Virtual Community College certi– fied online instructor and has tauf ht online English classes for the past 15 years Her rs ECCC

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career. "Mr. (Conrad) Germany taught me the skills that I needed to get my first job," Howell said. "He taught me you never stop learning your trade. Mr. Germany continues to advise me even though he has been retired for five years." While~ student at ECCC. Howell was activelv involved in the muc:1c pro~. participating in variou group including W: ·Soun !ar &nd the Ac'cents. College'

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en - Howell has 'ened a:. mu-..ic minbter at Beulah Baptist Church ,jnce 2011. In addition, he has been a member of the County Line Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. He is a former student minister at Noxapater Baptist Church and music minister al Linwood Baptist Church. Howell is married to the former Aubrie Cleveland of Union. They have two children, Jacob and Annley . •

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Howell . aid he decided to become a teacher

after serving as a student minster. "I began to realize the positiw influence I could be to a stu– dent. I realized if I could learn a skill, teach the skill to someone else. and watch them succeed it was a great reward." Howell joined ECCC as collision repair technology instructor in 2010.