Contact: Melissa Reifert
January 19, 2007

Awards Presented to MECC Math Faculty

Three faculty members at Mountain Empire Community College were honored for their work in the area of mathematics.  Assistant Professor Yvonne Jessee and adjunct math faculty Karen Shuler and Angie Turley each received an award from the Southwest Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (SVCTM).  The council’s service area includes counties in Virginia ranging eastward and northward from Lee County to Buchanan, Tazewell, Bland, Wythe, and Carroll Counties.  It also includes the cities of Norton, Bristol, and Galax.

Jessee, who in 2004 won the Emmet F. Low, Jr. Excellence in Teaching Award, received the Outstanding Service Award for 2006.  The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the teaching of mathematics and/or the SVCTM.  For the past 25 years, Jessee has taught math in courses such as Arithmetic, Algebra I, Algebra II, Liberal Arts Math, and Pre-calculus.  An active member of the SVCTM, she previously served as president for the organization.

Shuler received the 2006 Emmet F. Low, Jr. Excellence in Teaching Award for the middle school level, while urley received the same award for the elementary school level.  In order to qualify for these honors, individuals must be a member of the SVCTM, currently a classroom teacher in grades K-16, and have a minimum of five years teaching experience.  Nominees must also present materials and evidence that relate to his or her accomplishments and achievements during the five years prior to the nomination.

In addition to their work at MECC, Shuler teaches math at Powell Valley Middle School and Turley teaches at Flatwoods Elementary School.  Both teachers have been nominated for awards at the state level.  Results for the state competition are expected to be revealed in February or March.

The mission of the SVCTM is to promote mathematics and mathematics education to the teachers in Southwest Virginia from the kindergarten level to the college level through an annual conference that is conducted by the council.  Conferences present opportunities for teachers to learn new developments in math and math education, the opportunity to learn new methods and skills, and the opportunity to see how math education flows from the kindergarten level to the college level.

MECC Assistant Professor Yvonne Jessee and Adjunct Faculty Member Karen Shuler were honored for their work in the area of math by the Southwest Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

MECC Adjunct Faculty Member Angie Turley was honored for her work in the area of math by the Southwest Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

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