An organization recognizing North America’s most inspiring staff and instructors honoured three NIC educators this week.
Mickey Bliss, Sandra Faust, and Albert Balbon received their National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards at the annual conference and awards ceremony May 23-26 in Austin, Texas.
The awards recognize faculty, staff, and administrators at Canadian and US technical and community colleges who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students, colleagues, and communities.
“I’m proud to be an important influence in the learning and development of my many students” said Bliss, who teaches NIC’s Electrical Foundation certificate and Electrical apprenticeship programs in Campbell River.
Bliss is known for his desire to provide B.C.’s best electrical training at NIC and his commitment to more than 1,500 electrical students since 1992. He was nominated by students, colleagues and administrators, each crediting him for his innovation, his passion for teaching and ability to make learning entry level electrical skills understandable and enjoyable to students wherever they study.
“Mickey’s skills extend beyond the traditional classroom,” said Lisa Domae, NIC’s Vice President of Learning and Students. “His use of interactive multimedia, video recording software, and the Blackboard Learn Management System gives students the ability to learn electrical theory online, at home, or at a remote worksite, so they can upgrade their skills faster with more flexibility.”
He has many former students who have become journeymen, contractors, foremen, supervisors, and instructors in the electrical trades.
“Mickey Bliss is quite comfortably one of the best teachers I have ever had,” said one former student, now working in Russia’s oil patch. “He quite obviously enjoys teaching and works hard to ensure students do too.”
Bliss received his award with NIC English Upgrading instructor Sandra Faust and Albert Balbon, the architect of NIC’s award-winning Remote Web-based Science Lab, which allows students around the world to access science labs and curriculum online.
For more information on the NISOD awards visit www.nisod.org, for information on NIC’s Electrical Foundation certificate visit www.nic.bc.ca/trades.
