Instructor in Human Development and Family Studies Jessica Clontz, center, received the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Educator of the Year Award from DEF Past President Carrie Wood and DuBois Chancellor M. Scott McBride.
DUBOIS, Pa. — Jessica Clontz, instructor in the Human Development and Family Studies Program at Penn State DuBois, has been named the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Educator of the Year. Past DEF president Carrie Wood presented the award to Clontz during campus commencement ceremonies on Friday.
The Educator of the Year Award is given annually by the DEF to recognize outstanding teaching. All nominees must be full-time faculty members with at least one year of prior service at Penn State DuBois. This honor is based purely on student feedback, as the students submit nominations and the award winner is chosen based on the number and quality of nominations received.
Wood read from the student nominations, sharing statements such as, "Jessica is enthusiastic about her field of work and creates an environment where students are comfortable with and excited about participating," and "Jessica is an exceptional educator capable of making lectures entertaining and applicable to the real world."
The award also acknowledges the educator for excelling as an adviser, showing genuine interest in the students' careers and life goals; and his or her personal involvement in campus.