 | By Roshelle Branch, Campus News |
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Selina Riley-Gurganus, the 2009 Duplin County Teacher of the Year, recently spoke to a group of education majors at Mount Olive College. She teaches business and PC skills at East Duplin High School.“Teaching is a profession,” she stated. “The way in which we treat young people affects their success in school and in life. No one is ever a master of education because we are always growing and that we can learn from others. Never be too proud to ask for advice.”
Drawing from her 19 years of personal experience Riley-Gurganus advised young educators to establish and maintain teacher-student relationships.
“Teaching is about loving what you do and who you do it for,” she said. When asked what changes she wanted in education, Riley-Gurganus said, “I want more vigorous programs with broader math and science, more technology in the hands of students and teacher Smartboards.”
During the Q & A Eric Godwin, PTA treasurer and agriScience education major, asked about the importance of vocational education in high schools. In response, Riley-Gurganus said, “Vocational education is very important because not all students are college bound or fit into that ‘cookie cutter’ relationship.”
The Duplin Teacher of the Year presentation was sponsored by the Mount Olive College (MOC) Career Center and the Prospective Teachers Association.
