2020 Excellence in Teaching Recipient Selected
Wanda Tyson has been selected by her peers as Nash Community College’s 2020 J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. Tyson is a Computer Engineering Technology instructor in the Industrial and Manufacturing Technologies Department.
Excellence in Teaching Award nominees are full-time faculty members chosen annually through a secret ballot by the faculty, and represent the best in community college instruction. In recognition of this honorable distinction, Tyson will receive a cash award made available through the generous support of the late J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore, formerly of Rocky Mount.
After staying home with her children for more than 20 years, Wanda Tyson enrolled as a student at Nash Community College. “I was terrified after being out of school for so long,” she said. “My instructors knew that I was scared, but they knew what I needed, and they helped me succeed.” After two years, she graduated with a Computer Engineering Technology degree. “I walked across that stage, and I was ready for the world.”
“I wasn’t sure what my path would be or where I would be led, but I knew that I loved Nash Community College.” Soon after graduation, Tyson had the opportunity to begin teaching at NCC as an adjunct instructor in 2009. “At that time, I had no idea that teaching would be my passion,” she said. “I was extremely nervous about all the unknowns. All I knew was that I loved what I had been asked to teach, so I was excited to say yes and grateful for the opportunity.”
In 2014, Tyson was hired as a full-time instructor at the college. “NCC provided an awesome array of professional development, and I attended as many sessions as I possibly could,” she said. “I was given the opportunity to attend the 2015 AVID Summer Institute where I loaded my instructional toolbelt with many time-proven strategies.” Tyson has used the instructional strategies in her classes ever since. “I have seen improvements in student engagement, scores, and retention.” Now she shares her experiences with coworkers facilitating professional development sessions and serving on the NCC Professional Development Committee.
“Applying the SkillsUSA Framework in my curriculum has also helped my students,” she said. “Like AVID, SkillsUSA has a wide variety of tools that instructors can use in the classroom that promote engagement, motivation, and retention. But most importantly, SkillsUSA presents life-changing opportunities for students. Through healthy competition, students showcase their skills, allowing them to demonstrate to potential employers that they are career-ready beginning on day one.”
“I am my students’ biggest fan. In the past two years, they have competed and won gold medals at the state competition and gold and silver at nationals. The self-confidence they gain from these experiences cannot be taught in the classroom,” she said. “Every day, I am grateful that NCC and our local industry continue to encourage and support our participation in the competitions and recognize the benefits SkillsUSA provides our students.”
Wanda Tyson holds Associate in Applied Science degrees in Electronic Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology from Nash Community College. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from North Carolina Wesleyan College and a Master of Science degree in Cyber Security from Liberty University.
“I am proud to be a Nash Community College instructor. I realize that I have been given an incredible opportunity to help people. I have been given a chance to make a difference, for the better, one student at a time.”
Tyson is received certificates in Electrical Electronics Technology, Computer Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology/Computer Programming. She also earned the distinction of Master Instructor for Higher Education.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edgar Moore were longtime supporters of the college. In addition to the Excellence in Teaching Award honoring faculty, the Moores also supported the annual Staff Award recognizing the outstanding work ethic of a non-instructional employee at NCC. In 1998, they established the NCC J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Faculty Senate Scholarship and later funded the Peggie Thigpen Moore Endowed Chair for Culinary Arts in 2009 to honor NCC culinary faculty and their commitment to exemplary teaching and excellence in the classroom. The Peggie T. Moore Culinary Arts Wing in the College’s Business and Industry Center honors Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s legacy.
