[Thursday, October 5, 2023] Mark MacConnell, Automotive Technology instructor with North Central Kansas Technical College on the Hays Campus – is the recipient of the 2023 Kansas Council for Workforce Education – Outstanding New Teacher Award.
The Outstanding New Teacher Award is designed to recognize a faculty member who has less than five years teaching experience and demonstrates outstanding teaching ability in the areas of career and technical education. The recipient exemplifies exceptional student engagement skills inside and outside of the classroom.
Mark was nominated for the award by Richard Cox, Automotive Technology Department Chair, Hays campus. Cox noted that Mark is an excellent instructor, bringing his knowledge and experience from industry into his classroom and lab. Mark was involved in NCK Tech prior to teaching; he is a graduate of the program and served for several years as a member of the advisory board.
Jennifer Brown, Dean of Instruction noted, “Mark is a natural educator. He is not afraid to try new techniques and ideas to help engage students.” Cox stated in his nomination, ” Mark is a great asset to our program and to our students.”
The presentation of this award took place at the annual Fall Kansas Workforce Innovation Conference held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Manhattan, KS. For more information on NCK TECH, visit our website at www.ncktc.edu.