Walker Receives VCCA  Excellence in Education Award

By Crystal Vandegrift, Staff Writer

Charlotte Court House resident and professor at Southside Virginia Community College, Stephen Walker was recently awarded for his outstanding efforts in teaching.

Walker, who teaches history at SVCC in Keysville, was nominated for the award by a professor at Blue Ridge Community College.  The award, given by the Virginia Community Colleges Association (VCCA), was presented during the VCCA annual conference in Hampton, Va. “This was well deserved as Stephen is an amazing professor,” said VCCA President, Theresa Thomas. “He is a dedicated professor with a larger than life personality.”

In addition to teaching at SVCC, Walker has served as Faculty Senate President, CFAC representative and has served on the college’s presidential search committees. Walker is also the program director of the Virginia Master Teacher Seminar that he plans, executes and facilitates every July.

According to VCCA, the Virginia Master Teacher Seminar has expanded to various states throughout the years, including Indiana, Arizona, and Florida. The seminar stands by his belief that “if teachers are brought together in a relaxed atmosphere great learning will take place.”  Walker has been involved in the seminar for over 20 years.

As for his teaching, Thomas noted, “He teaches history in a very unique way including traditional classroom courses and a course that includes field trips to many great historical sites in and outside of Virginia such as Appomattox, Williamsburg and Harper’s Ferry. He truly “flips the classroom.”

“I was honored to receive the award. It came as a complete surprise,” said Walker. “I am always trying to improve my teaching. It is similar to chasing the horizon – just when you think you got it, it moves. I know without the support of my wife Cindy, I would not be teaching in the first place.”

The Excellence in Education award is presented to a VCCA member that has been in good standing for a minimum of five years. The award winner is nominated by their peers and selected by the VCCA executive committee through a secure vote before the annual conference each year. The full-time or retired staff or faculty member must demonstrate excellence in several significant contributions to education, the community college, and to professional development in and out of the VCCA. Founded in 1983, the VCCA promotes the advancement and development of community college education in Virginia

Cutline for photo: VCCA President Theresa Thomas presented Charlotte Court House resident Stephen Walker with the Excellence in Education Award during their annual conference in Hampton, Va.