FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

Nassau County resident Donna Martin recognized as Outstanding Faculty Award honoree by Florida Community College

Donna Martin, Florida Community College at Jacksonville professor of Mathematics and a 15–year Nassau County resident, has been named as a recipient of an FCCJ Outstanding Faculty Award for academic year 2007–2008.

Martin was nominated by her peers and administrators, including North Campus President Barbara Darby. One of her nominators was Don Hughes, director of the FCCJ Nassau County Center, where Martin taught as an adjunct instructor from 1999–2003. Hughes, in his nomination letter, referred to Martin’s “excellent teaching skills, willingness to assist students outside of the classroom setting, and positive attitude towards student success.” Those attributes led to Martin’s selection as a full–time professor at FCCJ’s North Campus in 2003. Hughes said Martin has continued to be recognized by students as one of the best Math instructors at the college and has also developed into a faculty leader.

Originally from Wisconsin, Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Central Florida, graduating summa cum laude and working in accounting for a time.

Martin moved to Nassau County in 1993 with her husband when he was stationed at King’s Bay Naval Station. She began teaching one class at King’s Bay.

“The first time I walked in that classroom I knew I was meant to be a teacher,” Martin says. She pursued and earned her Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences from the University of North Florida, earning the Outstanding Graduate Student in Mathematics and Statistics Award. Presently she is pursuing her Education Specialist degree in Higher Education from Appalachian State University while she continues to teach at North Campus. A frequent presenter at regional and national education conferences, Martin has received numerous honors. Those include previous recognition as an Outstanding Faculty Award recipient presented by North Campus in 2006 and an Exemplary Practice Award presented by the Florida Association of Community Colleges.

“Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” Martin says. “I enjoy teaching the developmental or college prep classes. I pride myself on being student–centered and work very hard at developing good relationships with my students. My students know that my office door is always open and they feel comfortable stopping in for help or just to talk. I want them to know that I truly care about their success.”

Martin will be officially recognized among her fellow award winners when the College holds its annual Convocation at South Campus in August.