SWGTC's Barfield named TCSG's

Instructor of the Year

Georgia’s Instructor of the Year Jessica Barfield with SWGTC President Dr. Glenn Deibert

The Technical College System of Georgia’s 2010 instructor of the year is Jessica Barfield, an instructor in the early childhood care and education program at Southwest Georgia Technical College.

Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson made the announcement during a banquet held on May 27 at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency Hotel. He presented Barfield with the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction and a $1,000 check. 

“Jessica Barfield is a talented and dedicated instructor who inspires her students to learn and achieve,” said Jackson. “She possesses an unbelievable commitment to bringing out the very best in her students, who graduate better-prepared for the workforce and therefore more likely to find success in their chosen careers. This is a well-deserved honor for her to be recognized as one of Georgia’s great technical college instructors.”

Barfield was selected from among six finalists for the award by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. Selection criteria included teaching experience, leadership abilities and professionalism, proven innovation in teaching techniques, community involvement, and a strong commitment to the technical education mission of the TCSG.

SWGTC Interim President Lorette Hoover was thrilled with the news of Barfield’s award.  “Jessica has such a passion for education, and that came across to the judges loud and clear,” said Hoover.  “I was with SWGTC when Jessica joined our faculty, and I remember her being very charismatic and full of enthusiasm.  It does not surprise me at all to know the Rick Perkins Award judges recognized the same elements in Jessica that make her such a special instructor for her SWGTC students.”

For the next year, Barfield will serve as the technical college system’s ambassador for technical education instruction and a representative of her fellow instructors at Georgia’s 28 technical colleges. She will make numerous appearances around Georgia to speak about the great opportunities offered by the technical college system. She will also be honored by the Georgia General Assembly and receive a personal commendation from the Governor.

Barfield was thrilled to be named the RPA winner. “I am just on fire for technical education,” she said. “This will be an excellent forum for me to express how strongly I believe in this educational avenue in achieving success in the world.”

“I am honored that out of the thousands of dedicated, qualified, and amazing faculty members working for the TCSG that I rose to the top,” said Barfield.  “Teaching is my passion and it is so rewarding to be recognized for what I love to do each and every day. There is no better profession that teaching; I help change lives daily and I do not take that responsibility lightly.”

Dr. Glen Deibert, former President of SWGTC, considered Barfield’s being named Instructor of the Year his last “hurrah” before leaving for his new post in Alabama. “It made me very proud to see Jessica win this award,” he said. “I am thrilled that I was able to be here to see her win. It was a pleasure working with her during my tenure at SWGTC and I know she will be an outstanding representative for technical education and everyone at SWGTC is extremely proud of her.”

This year, Georgia’s technical college instructors will educate and train a record 190,000 students who enrolled in the Technical College System of Georgia. The colleges offer more than 600 degree, diploma and certificate programs in a variety of fields including the growing and in-demand career areas of healthcare, aerospace, life sciences, energy and the environment, and agribusiness.