Valerie Martin was my algebra instructor during Summer 2001 at North Arkansas College (Northark). She was an exemplary instructor, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and regularly using student feedback to enhance her curriculum and instruction. Immediately, Valerie was one of the clearest, most accessible math instructors I had ever witnessed. Her teaching of, and passion for, mathematics made me want to major in math for a short time. When I left Valerie's class with significant homework, I was not defeated or irritated but empowered and excited. As a result of Valerie's engaging curriculum design, I knew that we would have a valuable conversation the following class period to address errors and expand our knowledge of the concepts we failed to master. Never frustrated to reteach concepts or work one-on-one with struggling students, Valerie easily inspired me to learn more about algebra and its utility in everyday life. My appreciation for Valerie's expertise grew when I transitioned from Northark student to Northark instructor several years later. I returned to Northark in 2003 as an online English instructor, and by that time, Valerie had become a veteran online math instructor. Accordingly, I had the opportunity to interact with her on numerous occasions to discuss policy and procedural directions for online education at Northark. In all of our interactions, Valerie demonstrated a strong understanding of existing and needed eLearning policies as well as a genuine desire to help implement changes to improve student learning outcomes and satisfaction in online courses. In short, Valerie Martin is a credit to teaching, online/blended learning, and specifically her current position as Director of Distance Learning and Instructional Support.

Valerie Martin was my algebra instructor during Summer 2001 at North Arkansas College (Northark). She was an exemplary instructor, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and regularly using student feedback to enhance her curriculum and instruction. Immediately, Valerie was one of the clearest, most accessible math instructors I had ever witnessed. Her teaching of, and passion for, mathematics made me want to major in math for a short time. When I left Valerie's class with significant homework, I was not defeated or irritated but empowered and excited. As a result of Valerie's engaging curriculum design, I knew that we would have a valuable conversation the following class period to address errors and expand our knowledge of the concepts we failed to master. Never frustrated to reteach concepts or work one-on-one with struggling students, Valerie easily inspired me to learn more about algebra and its utility in everyday life. My appreciation for Valerie's expertise grew when I transitioned from Northark student to Northark instructor several years later. I returned to Northark in 2003 as an online English instructor, and by that time, Valerie had become a veteran online math instructor. Accordingly, I had the opportunity to interact with her on numerous occasions to discuss policy and procedural directions for online education at Northark. In all of our interactions, Valerie demonstrated a strong understanding of existing and needed eLearning policies as well as a genuine desire to help implement changes to improve student learning outcomes and satisfaction in online courses. In short, Valerie Martin is a credit to teaching, online/blended learning, and specifically her current position as Director of Distance Learning and Instructional Support.

Valerie Martin was my algebra instructor during Summer 2001 at North Arkansas College (Northark). She was an exemplary instructor, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and regularly using student feedback to enhance her curriculum and instruction. Immediately, Valerie was one of the clearest, most accessible math instructors I had ever witnessed. Her teaching of, and passion for, mathematics made me want to major in math for a short time. When I left Valerie's class with significant homework, I was not defeated or irritated but empowered and excited. As a result of Valerie's engaging curriculum design, I knew that we would have a valuable conversation the following class period to address errors and expand our knowledge of the concepts we failed to master. Never frustrated to reteach concepts or work one-on-one with struggling students, Valerie easily inspired me to learn more about algebra and its utility in everyday life. My appreciation for Valerie's expertise grew when I transitioned from Northark student to Northark instructor several years later. I returned to Northark in 2003 as an online English instructor, and by that time, Valerie had become a veteran online math instructor. Accordingly, I had the opportunity to interact with her on numerous occasions to discuss policy and procedural directions for online education at Northark. In all of our interactions, Valerie demonstrated a strong understanding of existing and needed eLearning policies as well as a genuine desire to help implement changes to improve student learning outcomes and satisfaction in online courses. In short, Valerie Martin is a credit to teaching, online/blended learning, and specifically her current position as Director of Distance Learning and Instructional Support.