Moultrie Tech Names Rogers 2007 Instructor of the Year
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| Pierre Rogers, computer information systems instructor at Moultrie Technical College, was chosen by his peers as the 2007 Instructor of the Year and will represent the college on a regional and state level in the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction competition. |
MOULTRIE , GA. Moultrie Technical College (MTC) computer information systems instructor Pierre Rogers of Moultrie was recently selected by his peers at MTC as the school’s nominee for the state Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. Rogers teaches at the college’s Veterans Parkway campus in Moultrie.
“I feel fortunate to have and am thankful for the opportunity to toil in our educational system. Moultrie Technical College has afforded me the chance to help create steps for others on their paths to achievement. It is a great privilege to be able to serve and assist our students on their journey of change,” says Rogers.
“I believe that education can be summarized in one word, ‘association’. The powerful association that takes place for MTC students is a synergy of the entire Technical College System of Georgia. We as educators at MTC collaborate with each other, as well as regionally and state-wide with the 34 other technical colleges, to enhance the daily classroom adventure. Education becomes an experience of associations that is funneled to each student by their instructors. Our students are exposed to academics, hands on skills, and life skills in the form of Work Ethics training that will enable them to succeed after graduation. The ‘association’ that students live in while attending MTC is the complete manual for life.”
Named in memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College who received the Department of Technical & Adult Education Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death, the award is the state technical college system’s version of an “instructor of the year” honor. It is presented to the person who has shown the most dedication to the job, commitment to students and skill in the classroom.
Annually, all 34 technical colleges, plus the four Regents system schools with technical divisions, nominate an instructor to represent their colleges for the statewide honor.
Nominees then compete on a regional basis. Rogers competed with representatives from Albany, East Central, South Georgia, Southwest Georgia and Valdosta Technical Colleges for the Southwest Georgia consortia title on July 26 at Moultrie Tech. Winners from each technical college consortia will be announced at the Technical College System of Georgia’s Lighthouse Institute in September, and finalists will go on to compete for the state honor.
The state Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technical education in Georgia. He or she will make many public appearances throughout the year including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor, and the Georgia Technical College System Leadership Conference in October.
Rogers attended Moultrie Senior High School and graduated in 1976 from the University of the South with a degree in biology. His education continued in the Masters of Biology program at Georgia College in Milledgeville, where he taught as a graduate assistant. He continued to teach after graduate school and then served as the Physical Director at the Moultrie YMCA.
He also worked in the private sector as a business owner until he returned to school at MTC as a student in 1999. He now teaches introductory computer classes which include dually-enrolled students from Colquitt County High school, advanced Microsoft and Cisco networking classes and some Web design classes.
Rogers has placed students in local technology departments as interns and continues to develop employees for the information technology workforce. He was instrumental in securing a place for MTC students last year at the Valley Irrigation School held at the Spence Field Agricultural Expo site sponsored by Valmont Industries. He serves as co-advisor for the Phi Beta Lambda student business and technology organization. The PBL members have garnered state and national awards under his leadership.
Says Rogers, “I focused on and enjoyed science during my early schooling, so my role in Computer Information Systems at Moultrie Technical College is a natural extension into a new and dynamic field of science…I am striving to bring together our community and the opportunities that new technology promises. Our traditions in this area of Georgia are strongly tied to the environment and agriculture, and I believe that we have yet to see the full potential our region can achieve until we responsibly embrace information technology.”
He holds computer certifications in Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Net+ and Microsoft Word . His swimming certifications include USA Swimming Coach, CPR and First Aid, Red Cross Safety training for Swim Coaches, and Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.
