Dr. Paula Wilhite, Professor of Mathematics at Northeast Texas Community College, was one of four professors nationwide honored with the 2013 American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) Teaching Excellence Award at the recent 39th†annual conference in Anaheim, California.††This award is given biennially for excellence in the classroom, superior professional development, and outstanding leadership qualities.††Jim Roznowski, president of AMATYC, presented each recipient a medallion and†a check for $500 from Pearson Publishers during the opening session.
For eight years, Wilhite served on the executive board of the Texas Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (TexMATYC) and was elected president in 2008.††She was appointed a member of the Course Design Team for the New Mathways Project at the University of Texas Dana Center in 2012.††Wilhite was the principal investigator for a National Science Foundation scholarship grant, which resulted in a 94% success rate of graduation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). She was also a co-principal investigator for a Robert Noyce scholarship grant with four of five participants placed in math/science teaching positions of high-need schools.
?Dr. Wilhite?s students have gone on to become engineers, mathematicians, award-winning teachers and so many other successful people who now work in our community and across this country,? Dr. Brad Johnson, NTCC president, said in recognition of Wilhite?s award. ?Today people talk about ?outcomes?.††Her outcomes are transformed lives.††Her career goal was to make a difference, and her legacy will be hundreds of students who achieved their dream of a better quality of life.?
One such student is Cory Nesbitt, a former student who went on to graduate from Texas A&M University-College Station with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.
?Dr. Wilhite was not just a professor who instructed me in calculus.††She was a great friend who used calculus as a tool to show me how to be successful in life through confident persistence,? Nesbitt said when delivering the NTCC commencement address in August 2012.
The 2013 Teaching Excellence Award was just the latest recognition in Wilhite?s achievements.††In 2004, Wilhite was awarded the TexMATYC Teaching Excellence Award.††In 2005, 2006, and 2010, she was recognized for teaching excellence at NTCC.††In addition, Wilhite received a distinguished alumnus award from the Department of Mathematics at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2009 and has multiple listings in Who?s Who Among America?s Teachers.
Since 1985, Wilhite has been a charter faculty member and professor of mathematics at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC).
?Dr. Wilhite taught me the beauty of mathematics and instilled in me the desire to pursue math education.††Her love for mathematics is contagious in the classroom because she is so enthusiastic in her teaching,? Dr. Leah Reagan, NTCC Professor of Mathematics and a former student of Wilhite, said.
Another colleague, Associate Professor David Rangel, added: ?When I first began my career in higher education, she was my mentor.††Her experience and knowledge greatly benefited me in the decisions I have made in both my professional and personal lives.††I quickly recognized her love and passion for teaching because of the importance she places on her students? mastery of concepts rather than merely recitation.††She truly leads instruction in mathematics not only in words, but also in deeds.?
The three other recipients of the 2013 Teaching Excellence Award were Ed Gallo (Sinclair Community College), Rodney Null (Rhodes State College), and Mark Omodt (Anoka-Ramsey Community College).
Wilhite is a longtime resident of Mount Pleasant and is married to John Wilhite. She serves as the pianist/organist for First Presbyterian Church Mount Pleasant.
