Two SCC Students Receive Statewide Teacher Education Award

Published: 03/09/2023

Two St. Charles Community College students, Thien Nguyen and Krysti Goers, who currently are working toward their Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, received the Ruth Brinkmann Award from the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education – Community College Division (MACTE-CCD). Each recipient also received a $500 scholarship with the award.

“I’m really proud that winners this year, came from St. Charles Community College AAT program,” said Dr. Nicole Nunn-Faron, SCC Professor of Education and Education Department Chair.

The award is open to community college students in Missouri who are pursuing the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, and recipients are selected based on a statement of community service, community college transcript, essay of teaching philosophy and/or teacher leadership, and a letter of recommendation.

Ruth Brinkmann is known as a pioneer in Missouri community college teacher education. She was actively involved in creating a statewide organization of community college teacher education program directors and faculty. Ultimately this became the Community College Division (CCD) of MACTE, and Ruth was its first president. The close working relationship between the CCD and MACTE was absolutely essential to the acceptance of community college teacher education by both public and private four-year institutions in the state. The CCD also worked closely with MCCA to further the cause of community college teacher education programs, a cause which culminated in the inception of the AAT degree in 2007. 

Photo cutlines:

Thien Nguyen (left in left image), SCC student working toward the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, is presented with the Ruth Brinkmann Award, Monday, March 6, by Dr. Nicole Nunn-Faron, SCC Professor of Education and Education Department Chair.

Krysti Goers (left in right image), SCC student working toward the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, is presented with the Ruth Brinkmann Award, Monday, March 6, by Dr. Nicole Nunn-Faron, SCC Professor of Education and Education Department Chair.