Submitted by: Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College English professor Jeff Klausman has been awarded the 2016 Lisa Ede Excellence in Teaching Award by the Two-Year College English Association of the Pacific Northwest (TYCA-PNW). Klausman, who has been teaching at Whatcom for 20 years, was honored at the association’s annual conference in October.
The Lisa Ede award is given to those who exemplify innovation and creativity in the teaching of English, who have demonstrated outstanding teaching strategies that motivate students to excellence, and/or who have made a contribution to the field at the two-year college level. One award is given each year to both a deserving adjunct and full-time faculty member. Three other WCC English faculty members have received the award since 2005: Danielle Gray, Jim Spaich and Sherri Winans.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with outstanding colleagues at Whatcom and across our region,” Klausman said. “This award really reflects the work that I’ve been able to do only because of the people I’ve been able to work with.”
Klausman, who began teaching at Whatcom in 1996, has twice served as English department chair. His accomplishments include developing the teaching-for-transfer curriculum at Whatcom, facilitating a statewide initiative to align all first-year college English courses, and leading an effort to reform and streamline the English course placement process for students, a model that has been adopted by other colleges in Washington and beyond. He has authored several professional guides on developmental education reform and placement reform. Klausman also serves on the executive committee for the Conference on College Composition and Communication and will serve on the leadership team for the College’s recently awarded $150K College Spark grant.
“Jeff has demonstrated leadership and exemplary work in his field,” said WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown. “He has had a deep impact on the college and our students’ success throughout his 20 years of service.”
