Jimmy Walker Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award at Tri-County Technical College
May 7, 2012
PENDLETON, SC – May 4, 2012 – James (Jimmy) Walker, a math instructor in Tri-County Technical College’s Comprehensive Studies Department as well as the Arts and Sciences Division, received the College’s 2012 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award May 3.
This award is given annually at the spring faculty/staff convocation to the adjunct faculty member who is recognized for excellence in teaching, who has consistently high student evaluations and who supports the philosophy and goals of the College.
Mr. Walker, an Anderson resident, has taught at the College since 2007. Students and faculty praise Walker as being an invaluable asset to the classroom and the College.
“Many students will tell you that math is their least favorite or most difficult subject, which is why the right instructor is vital to developmental math students’ success. Jimmy Walker has consistently been the right teacher for our students,” said Comprehensive Studies Department Head Jennifer Beattie in her nomination.
In their evaluations, students say Walker is a patient, caring and concerned teacher. One student wrote, “He walks throughout the classroom, making sure that everyone is understanding and asks if anyone has any questions. He seems to care if you understand or not.” Another wrote, “I give this man 10 stars – the best instructor I have ever had.”
Beattie added that Walker is always willing to go the extra mile. “Whenever we need someone to step in and teach for an absent teacher, Jimmy is the first to volunteer his time – even if it means driving to another campus.”
Beattie commended his willingness to try new teaching strategies and participate in professional development activities. “He takes what he learns from these experiences, brings them back to us and offers valuable suggestions and advice to improve upon student learning. He takes it upon himself to remain current on best practices in his field. This isn’t required of him but he is always ready and willing to do what it takes to be the best instructor possible.”
Walker holds a B.S. in mathematics from the University of South Carolina. He completed the master teacher program at Tri-County in 2008 and was one of the first adjunct instructors to do so.
During the 2010 – 2011 academic year, he served as adjunct representative for the Arts and Sciences Division to the Faculty Senate. In the fall of 2011 he was trained to serve as a small group advisor in the College’s advising center. This semester, he served as a tutor in the Arts and Sciences Learning Lab. Since 2008 he has taught 23 university transfer mathematics classes. Says Dr. Jerry Marshall, mathematics department head for the Arts and Sciences Division, “ He is a dedicated, hardworking math instructor. His students praise him. He sets the example for being a servant teacher.”
Pictured: Jimmy Walker received the College’s 2012 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award May 3. Presenting the award is President Ronnie L. Booth.
