News & Events

April 24, 2007

CONTACT:

Carl Young, Interim Director of Communications
425.352.8256
cyoung@cascadia.edu

Cascadia Community College Faculty Members Honored for Excellence in Teaching

Bothell, WA - Cascadia Community College founding faculty members David Ortiz and Debora Pontillo are the first recipients of the Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Service (ETLS) Award, given annually by the Cascadia Community College Foundation. They will be presented with plaques honoring their selection, as well as $1,000 grants to be used next year for professional development.

Colleagues of Mr. Ortiz spoke to his many contributions to Cascadia and emphasized his service to students: “he creates an environment that allows students to critically engage the material and evaluate their own views,” “is constantly searching for new ways to examine and promote student learning,” and “he is always available [to students] to assist and advise, take an interest in their career goals, and use his wealth of knowledge to help them achieve their objectives.”

Similarly, colleagues described Ms. Pontillo’s contributions to students and highlighted her “uncanny ability to develop and sustain a safe space for dialogue, discussion and real intellectual challenge,” “her skill in facilitating learning environments that are collaborative, cooperative, and respectful…where students’ humanity and dignity remain intact,” and “her commitment to our community…as a faculty advisor to clubs [on campus] and a tireless volunteer [off campus].”

The ETLS award is the result of a 2005 agreement between the college and the faculty association to provide annual recognition for faculty who make exceptional contributions to Cascadia’s mission and vision.

“These two individuals exemplify the reasons the ETLS Award was created,” said Linda Hendrickson, Executive Director of the Foundation. “They demonstrate their commitment to student learning in innovative ways that should be recognized.”

The Cascadia Community College Foundation has established an endowment to support the grants that accompany the ETLS Award. Donations totaling $30,000 from staff, faculty and Cascadia’s friends in the community established an endowment that in 2006 was matched by money from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

David Ortiz and Debora Pontillo were Founding Faculty when the college opened in 2000. Mr. Ortiz teaches Speech Communications. Art and Ethnic Studies are Ms. Pontillo’s focus.

Cascadia Community College, located in Bothell, provides small classes and innovative instruction to more than 2,500 students each quarter. Students earn a variety of degrees, certificates, job training and basic skills. For more information or driving directions to campus, see: www.cascadia.edu.

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