The Schuylkill Technology Center (STC) Adult Education Center has announced Nicole Melnick was named Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administration (PAPNA).
Melnick, a Schuylkill Technology Center Practical Nursing Instructor, was nominated by her Adult Education students and awarded the designation at the Annual PAPNA Conference held in State College.
According to the nomination submitted by students Michelle Brown, Andrew Popalis, Sara Kelly and Jacque Osenbach, “she gives each of her students 100% of herself and truly believes in us. She has the ability to have you learn material and have fun doing it. Her expectations of us to be professional and great nurses always are high because that is how she conducts herself.”
As an example of one of the tactics Melnick used, students described how she took the driest subjects and turned them into interactive games that engaged the entire class to learn Pharmacology.
They also shared that the most special thing about the candidate is her devotion to her students and how she truly strives to help them reach their fullest potential. “As adult students we tend to do our studying and assignments at all hours of the night and day. We also email questions as they come up expecting to wait a day or two for a response. It doesn’t matter if it’s two in the morning or if she is on vacation, we usually get a response within minutes.”
Another student nominator, Emely Ruiz Zamudio said “she possesses a rare gift; in moments of self- doubt and discouragement, she brings out the very best in the students. She fosters a sense of capability and resilience, consistently reassuring us that we could overcome any challenge.” She also stated that Melnick “did everything within her power to assist us. She provided additional worksheets filled with helpful information, hints and tips and made themselves available beyond regular hours, demonstrating a level of dedication that went above and beyond expectations”.
Student Alyssa McCabe agreed. “No one feels invisible in her presence. No one feels left behind. She brings out the best in every person she teaches and in doing so, she changes lives.”
For more information about the Schuylkill Technology Center Adult Practical Nursing program, visit https://adult.stcenters.org or by calling (570) 874-1412.
According to the nomination submitted by students Michelle Brown, Andrew Popalis, Sara Kelly and Jacque Osenbach, “she gives each of her students 100% of herself and truly believes in us. She has the ability to have you learn material and have fun doing it. Her expectations of us to be professional and great nurses always are high because that is how she conducts herself.”
As an example of one of the tactics Melnick used, students described how she took the driest subjects and turned them into interactive games that engaged the entire class to learn Pharmacology.
They also shared that the most special thing about the candidate is her devotion to her students and how she truly strives to help them reach their fullest potential. “As adult students we tend to do our studying and assignments at all hours of the night and day. We also email questions as they come up expecting to wait a day or two for a response. It doesn’t matter if it’s two in the morning or if she is on vacation, we usually get a response within minutes.”
Another student nominator, Emely Ruiz Zamudio said “she possesses a rare gift; in moments of self- doubt and discouragement, she brings out the very best in the students. She fosters a sense of capability and resilience, consistently reassuring us that we could overcome any challenge.” She also stated that Melnick “did everything within her power to assist us. She provided additional worksheets filled with helpful information, hints and tips and made themselves available beyond regular hours, demonstrating a level of dedication that went above and beyond expectations”.
Student Alyssa McCabe agreed. “No one feels invisible in her presence. No one feels left behind. She brings out the best in every person she teaches and in doing so, she changes lives.”
For more information about the Schuylkill Technology Center Adult Practical Nursing program, visit https://adult.stcenters.org or by calling (570) 874-1412.