The Minnesota State Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching annually recognizes exemplary faculty who demonstrate the teaching mission at Minnesota State colleges and universities. The foundation of that mission is faculty subject matter expertise, skillful methods of teaching, and attention to student learning. The award reflects the commitment faculty have to providing high-quality instruction that prepares students for their professional, scholarly, and civic lives.

Annually, an extensive process (using input from faculty and students from each campus) is used to identify candidates to serve as the Minnesota West nominee for the Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Honors:

   2023-2024 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Heidi Tarus
Biology Instructor

“I really enjoyed this class! I found it to be very well organized and planned out for the semester. I enjoyed reading comments and suggestions made by the instructor on my assignments and discussions. I truly felt that the instructor wanted me to learn and succeed.” – Student feedback

Read the full story here

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:

English Instructor, Daniel Bernstrom
Computer Science Instructor, Justin Heckenlaible
Psychology Instructor, Vong Rathsachack
History Instructor, Anita Gaul
Art Instructor, Leah Gossom
Administrative Support Instructor, Angela Hoffman
Nursing Instructor, Stacy Christensen

   2022-2023 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Kent Dalhman
Speech Communication Instructor

“While developing and offering new courses can be a challenge, Mr. Dahlman has a positive attitude and willingness to try new avenues and opportunities.  I look forward to his continued programmatic work and engagement college-wide to expand offerings in his area of expertise. Our students benefit greatly from his willingness to stretch professionally!” – Dr. Kayla Westra, Dean of Liberal Arts and K-12 Partnerships, Minnesota West CTC

Read the full story here

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:

Allied Health: Stacy Christensen
Math/Science: Heidi Tarus
Trades: Shawn Berning
Humanities/Fine Arts: Kent Dahlman
Social Sciences: Anita Gaul

   2021-2022 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Jay Vargas
Sociology Instructor

Going the extra mile for his students, Dr. Vargas guides and encourages them to build a stronger foundation of cultural competence, helping them to expand their perspectives, as well as to apply course material on a real-time basis.

   2019-2020 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Dr. Rita Miller
Medical Lab Technology & Phlebotomy Instructor

“Rita is truly an outstanding educator, going above and beyond to serve her students and program. She has shown unwavering commitment to Minnesota West and her students over the last twenty-plus years, and is highly respected by fellow colleagues and the healthcare industry. She consistently demonstrates patience, kindness, and dedication to her students. Most importantly, she has the drive and dedication to continue learning, serving, and growing professionally. Rita demonstrates that excellence in teaching is an ongoing process and something to be sought after over a lifetime. The students and faculty strongly support Rita and believe she embodies excellence in teaching and is truly deserving of this award.” comments, Jackie Otkin, Dean of Allied Health.

   2018-2019 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Michael Dierks
Farm Business Management Instructor

“Mike is an asset to our students, Farm Business Management program, and college. He has a genuine passion for helping his farmer students achieve their farm and personal goals.”

“His students are able to utilize their own businesses as a case study for reflection of key concepts that Mike instructs. Mike’s farmers are given high quality and accurate tools to assess the effectiveness of their own business and work to become better managers.”

“Mike’s students know that he will always be there to guide them in their learning journey and that they have a true advocate and friend,” comments, Paul Lanoue, Dean of Agriculture and Business.

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:

Jay Vargas – Social Sciences
Leah Gossom - Humanities
Douglas Schuett - Powerline Technology Instructor
Kim Leherke – Allied Health
Paul Seifert – Math and Sciences
Mark Temple – Transportation

   2017-2018 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Peter Girard
Diesel Technology instructor on the Minnesota West Canby campus

“Peter truly is an asset to our students and college. He has a genuine excitement for teaching and a strong drive for his students to be successful in their careers. Students in his classroom experience real-life scenarios and are able to troubleshoot problems knowing that Peter will be there to guide them in their learning journey,” comments Paul Lanoue, Dean of Agriculture and Business.

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:
Jay Vargas - Social Sciences
Alan O’Neil - Humanities
Judy Drown - Trades
Leslie Bauman - Business/Computers/Management
Marissa Marten - Allied Health
Michael Wesselink - Math and Sciences

   2016-2017 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Laine Rieger

Child Development Instructor on the Minnesota West, Granite Falls campus

“Laine is steadfast in her dedication to students and their success.  Her teaching style is captivating, her demeanor nurturing, and her love for education, endless. We are very fortunate to have Laine as a member of our faculty,” comments Rebecca Weber, Dean of Canby and Granite Falls campuses

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:
Peter Girard - Diesel Technology Faculty, Canby Campus
Jerry Deuschle - Electrician Faculty, Jackson Campus
Rita Miller - Medical Laboratory Technician Faculty, Pipestone Campus/Luverne Center
Deb Munsterman - Small Business Management Faculty
Eric Parrish - Music/Theatre Faculty, Worthington Campus

   2015-2016 EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR  

 

Dr. Shannon Peak Fiene won Educator of the Year Award
Mathematics instructor at Minnesota West

Caring and approachable, noted as a “remarkable teacher,” Dr. Shannon Peak Fiene’s motto, “tear down the walls,” speaks to her commitment to lowering the barriers that block learning for students, many of whom come to her classes very nervous about math. While keeping expectations high, Fiene lowers those barriers in part by making learning fun: using audio, video, active learning, and humor to reach even the most math-anxious students. One way she does this is through a word cloud activity at the start of a developmental math class: students are asked to submit two or three words that come to mind when they think about math. Fiene then generates a word cloud that she shares with students; the visual provides reassurance to students that they are not alone in their worries. The students do the activity again at the end of the course, and Fiene notes the growth as student reactions “transform from those of emotions and expressions of hesitation to ideas related to key mathematical concepts.”

Minnesota West Community & Technical College President, Dr. Terry Gaalswyk notes, “Dr. Fiene makes complex, theoretical applications simple not through simplicity but by creating connections – a true master of the art.”

Minnesota West Provost Dr. Jeff Williamson comments, “Dr. Shannon Fiene is an exceptional teacher, an exceptional community member, and an exceptional leader. She is a leader in innovative classroom delivery and at the forefront of technology to develop learning modes. “

“Dr. Shannon Fiene is deserving of this honor not only due to her content expertise but because of her ability to convey that wisdom to our students. Dr. Fiene's talents and services to the College and system are multifaceted. Her gift provides a learning environment both challenging and enjoyable,” comments, Rebecca Weber, Dean of Canby and Granite Falls campuses.

View MnSCU's video of Shannon Fiene.

   2014-2015 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Gary Olsen
Electrical Instructor on the Minnesota West Canby campus

“Gary Olsen is the essence of what a true educator exemplifies.  Anyone who has seen Gary teach or been a student in his class can testify that he is dedicated to his students, the College, and industry partners,” notes, Rebecca Weber, Dean of Canby and Granite Falls campuses.

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:
Granite Falls – Laine Rieger
Jackson – Terri Pelzel
Pipestone/Luverne – Tonya Koepsell
Worthington – Kathy Janssen
Management - Deb Munsterman

   2014-2015 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Pam Jensen
Computer Support Instructor on the Minnesota West Granite Falls campus

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:

Canby Campus – Judy Drown
Jackson Campus – Danylle Espenson
Pipestone Campus – Jackie Lage
Worthington Campus – David Mills
Management - Deb Munsterman

   2012-2013 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Dan Roos

English Instructor on the Minnesota West Worthington campus

Honorable mention to the other Minnesota West Community & Technical College instructors who were also nominated for the award:

Canby Campus - Gary Olsen
Jackson Campus - Danylle Espenson
Granite Falls Campus - Shannon Fiene
Pipestone Campus - Luke Olson
Management - Deb Munsterman

   2011-2012 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Robert Arp
Construction Electrician Instructor

   2010-2011 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Richard Dalrymple
Mathematics/Physics Instructor

   2009-2010 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Leslie Bauman
Accounting Instructor

   2008-2009 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

James Brewers
Construction Electrician Instructor

   2007-2008 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Rolf Mahlberg
Agriculture Instructor

   2006-2007 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR   

Galen Benton
Music Educator