LuAnn Demi named 2019 DuBois Educational Foundation Educator of the Year

LuAnn Demi receives her DEF Educator of the Year Award

Assistant Teaching Professor LuAnn Demi receives her DEF Educator of the Year Award from DEF president Craig Ball.

Credit: Penn State

DUBOIS, Pa. — LuAnn Demi, of Clearfield, has been named the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Educator of the Year for 2019. Demi is an assistant teaching professor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Penn State DuBois, as well as the OTA program director. She was presented with her award by DEF president Craig Ball during campus commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 3.

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.  The honor is based purely on student feedback, as students submit nominations and the award winner is chosen based on the number and quality of nominations received.

Ball shared some of the comments students made in their nominations of Demi. One said, “LuAnn is just very easy to be around. She makes learning enjoyable and treats you with respect and never talks down to you when you are having issues.”

“LuAnn is very supportive and wants to see us succeed. She pushed me when I needed a boost,” said another nominator.

Another student said, “LuAnn has been a stalwart faculty member that demonstrates excellence in her field year after year. She is an excellent adviser that responds quickly to questions and gives thoughtful attention to every course. She adapts to her students’ needs without compromising the quality of her instruction.”

The award also acknowledges the educator for excelling as an adviser, showing genuine interest in the students' career and life goals, and his or her personal involvement at the campus.