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Chippewa Valley Technical College recently honored top instructors with annual excellence awards.

The college presented two John Frank Outstanding Educator Awards to Pamela Entorf, Dental Assistant and Hygienist instructor; and Julia Brown, Life Science instructor; the Paul and Karen Kohler Adjunct Instructor Excellence Award to John Traynor, Criminal Justice instructor; and the Domer New Faculty Teaching Award to Amanda Dohms, Early Childhood Education instructor.

John Frank Outstanding Educator Award
Pamela Entorf, Dental Assistant and Hygienist instructor, shows support for her students and passion for the dental profession, which is why Samantha Turnmire, a student of Entorf’s, said she deserves the award.

“Her strong commitment to the program allows for high-quality students and with revered reputations that precede them when they are involved in state conferences and competitions and when they go out into the community,” Turnmire said. “She exceeds the call of duty in her role and position as an educator.”

The award’s goal is to improve education by recognizing quality role models, to increase the value that society places on education, and to enhance the status of, and respect for, the teaching profession.

Like Entorf, Julia Brown, Life Science instructor and another John Frank Outstanding Educator Award recipient, thinks outside of the box to provide a top-notch education for her students.

“Julia (Brown) has consistently supported the College and the K-12 program,” said Kristel Tavare, director of PreK-12 Initiatives program at CVTC. “She has been instrumental in the success and growth of our high school academies. The data also supports her success with at least 38 percent of seniors in the academy pursuing their degree post high school at CVTC in various health programs.”

One of Brown’s high school students, Samuel Scheidler, said he felt excited and has more confidence after his first class with Brown.

“One of my most inspirational moments was when she explained why she wanted to be a teacher,” Scheidler said. “She explained how she wanted to be a doctor but was put off by the trauma she had seen in college. But she made the decision to still stay in the medical field and become a teacher.

“She explained that we might all think we know the path we are on until one day we are
shown what we are really meant to do.”

Paul and Karen Kohler Adjunct Instructor Excellence Award
John Traynor’s passion for the law enforcement profession shines as a Criminal Justice program instructor – something he has been doing at CVTC for 40 years.

Eric Anderson, Associate Dean of Emergency Services, said Traynor deserves the award.

“John (Traynor) expertly integrates decades of law enforcement experience with modern teaching methods and technology,” Anderson said. “While teaching in the critical areas of Defensive Tactics and Professional Communication, (Traynor) stresses the importance of balancing officer safety and public safety with the need to use the least amount of force necessary, while maintaining the safety and dignity of the person being contacted.”

Anderson said Traynor has an in-depth knowledge of the state curriculum that he teaches and is able to deliver the curriculum in a “practical and understandable manner.”

Domer New Faculty Teaching Award
Throughout the past year, Amanda Dohms, Early Childhood Education instructor, has shown leadership to help her department navigate challenges and rise as a leader at the College.

The Domer New Faculty Teaching Award recognizes a new instructor who has distinguished themselves during their first two years of teaching. From her first semester, Dohms worked hard to create supportive learning environments that challenge students to learn and apply content and skills.

All instructors received a cash token of appreciation and a plaque.

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