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Congratulations Northeastern Junior College Employees of the Year

Every year, Northeastern and the Community College System honors outstanding employees that are nominated by their colleagues for exemplary work performance. These awards are separated out into the five employee classifications as follows; Faculty Instructor of the Year, Rising Star Instructor of the Year, Adjunct Instructor of the Year, Administrative Professional Technical Employee of the Year, and Classified Employee of the Year. Northeastern is very proud to announce the winners of this year’s awards.

February 26, 2021
Northeastern Junior College staff holding awards
Amanda Kerker, Business Instructor at Northeastern Junior College

 

Faculty Instructor of the Year is awarded to Amanda Kerker, Business Instructor. Since starting at NJC in August of 2007, Amanda has grown into a skilled educator whose teaching is both personal and engaging. Her classrooms are highly inclusive and this is evidenced by students feeling free to ask questions, engage in discussion, and share a laugh. Despite a heavy teaching and advising load, Amanda serves as a friend, mentor, and cheerleader for all of her students and isn’t afraid to tactfully tell a student when they need to get to work. On top this, she has acted as an Interim Department Chair for the past year during the COVID crisis and has mentored seven new faculty members over the past few years. Amanda truly exemplifies faculty excellence. Congratulations Amanda! 

Mary Smith, Adjunct Music Instructor at Northeastern Junior College

 

Adjunct Instructor of the Year is awarded to Mary Smith, Adjunct Music Instructor. Mary has been an adjunct instructor at Northeastern since August of 1999 for the Music Program. She teaches piano lessons to all levels of Northeastern students. Whether the student is a novice or working to become a concert pianist, Mary Smith embraces all levels. Students talk about how kind and supportive she is, saying she advises them in piano, college, and life in general.  In the fall of 2019, Mary Smith also started teaching first year Music Theory and Ear Training classes. In addition to the classes she teaches, Mary also accompanies the Concert Choir and works with other staff to implement the International Trips abroad.  She is a very hard worker and a delight to work with. Congratulations Mary!

Brian Lewton, Business Instructor at Northeastern Junior College

 

Rising Star Instructor of the Year is awarded to Brian Lewton, Business Instructor. Brian has been amazing at learning how to adapt and evolve his classes for his students. He asks for help and is willing to try something different (even before COVID). Brian has hit the ground running when he joined NJC just short two years ago. He is working day in and day out on how to better himself as an educator while engaging his students in a variety of activities and discussions. Brian is also a member on an array of committees; assessment and OER are only two of many. He has been an amazing asset to the Assessment Leadership team, he is willing to attend seminars and learn about something that is difficult for even the most seasoned educator to understand. His commitment to these committees and his sought out expertise/viewpoints shows his devotion to NJC. Congratulations Brian! 

Tim Stahley, Director of Residence Life at Northeastern Junior College

 

Administrative Professional Technical Employee of the Year is awarded to Tim Stahley, Director of Residence Life. Tim is nothing short of amazing!  He joined Northeastern in January 2019 as the Director of Residence Life & Student Activities. His job is always challenging, but add a pandemic to his position description, and his workload exploded. To say this year has been full of new obstacles is an understatement. He has managed all of the difficult situations that life could deliver this year and handled them with a sincere smile and a plan. Not only has he dealt with the “normal” issues of having student residents, but he has delivered hundreds of meals to our students in isolation, monitored symptoms, changed room assignments, and done it all with a positive attitude, words of encouragement, and a good laugh. He has been a true hero to our students! Congratulations Tim! 

Kelli Moe Administrative Assistant in Student Housing at Northeastern Junior College

 

The Classified Employee of the Year is awarded to Kelli Moe. Kelli has worked as the Administrative Assistant in Student Housing since June of 2018. This year, Kelli has spent countless hours working to accommodate the many different situations that the pandemic has caused. The work she has done has been essential to navigating our Student Housing Department through room changes, check outs, students moving in and out of quarantine & isolation, key-control, and answering literally hundreds of questions from students, parents, and staff. Kelli is a genuine asset to NJC.  Her response to the many challenges she has faced this year has been outstanding! We are lucky to have her. Congratulations Kelli! 

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