Rex McKanry honored with Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

Published: 11/23/2020

Rex McKanry has demonstrated his passion for teaching and mentoring students since starting at St. Charles Community College eight years ago, and it's why he was named the 2020 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award winner at SCC! The program annually recognizes educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area – from kindergarten teachers to college professors – who are examples of excellence in their field.

“Rex’s teaching philosophy is part of why he is such an excellent professor,” explained Dr. Holly Martin, SCC vice president of academic affairs “He believes students learn best in an environment that allows them to discover new ideas, control their own learning and designs his curriculum around this concept.”

McKanry is known as someone who goes above and beyond inside the classroom, providing real-world examples in his curriculum, counseling students in career choices and providing one-on-one instruction to students.

“He also led an initiative to design and implement new degree programs for transfer students, as well as designing a 24-week accelerated certificate program in computer programming,” explained Dr. Martin. “Additionally, he implemented a student organization for computer programming and IT job fair for students and alumni.”

Outside of his contributions at SCC, McKanry serves as an instructor for Hour of Code for Workforce Development of St. Charles County and mentors for Hack4Hope, which aims to create inroads to innovative careers for under-served youth in the St. Louis Gateway area.