McFarlin is Rick Perkins Award First Runner Up for 2013

Carnesville resident, Leslie McFarlin, a Mathematics Instructor at North Georgia Technical College, is the first runner-up for the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Award for 2013.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson made the announcement during a banquet for the system’s top instructors and students at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta on April 25.

NGTC President Dr. Gail Thaxton said McFarlin exemplifies what is so outstanding about technical education.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.   

This past year McFarlin was deeply involved in redesigning the instructional strategy for learning support math classes at the college.

Taking what was once a strictly traditional classroom setting to an intensively individualized curriculum, many students are now seeing great success.

Speaking on a recent edition of Community Forum, McFarlin said her method breaks down math into easy-to-understand steps for those who struggle with the subject. 

“I am truly humbled to be NGTC’s Rick Perkins Award recipient for this year,” said McFarlin. “I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of support, love, and friendship that I have received from my colleagues and students. I am proud to represent North Georgia Tech!”

Meantime, Troy Peco, an Automotive Technology Director and Instructor from Georgia Northwestern Technical College won the award.

For the next year, Peco will serve as the TCSG ambassador for technical education instruction.   In the event he is unable to fulfill his duties, McFarlin will be called on to represent TCSG.