Automotive Service Technician instructor Dwayne Hickman has been recognized by the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence (TCOE) as the 2024 Outstanding Educator of the Year. This award celebrates educational and instructional excellence in the field of teaching and learning in transportation-related education programs.
“Dwayne works hard to ensure that every student clearly understands what is expected of them, and he agonizes over their shortcomings, always reflecting on his own performance to be certain it wasn’t something that he missed or could have done better,” Steve Hoemberg, Dean of Trades & Industry wrote in his recommendation letter to the TCOE. “His excellent content knowledge, ongoing industry experience, and his highly effective authentic teaching style contribute greatly to his students’ and his own success.”
Candidates for the TCOE awards are nominated by peers, who provide basic information and three letters of recommendation. The TCOE Awards Committee selects the award recipients each summer.
The Outstanding Educator of the Year is someone who has more than ten years’ teaching experience; established high performance and standards; promoted their programs in the community; is a member of an education-related association of professionals; and attends, contributes to, and supports TCOE functions.
The awards will be presented during the Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas conference Aug. 6-8.
Congratulations, Dwayne!