Scott named College of Ed’s instructor of the year

February 9, 2021

Heather Scott, Ed.D., instructor in the Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education, has been named the first recipient of the Georgia Southern University College of Education’s (COE) Instructor/Lecturer Faculty Award in Teaching and Service. 

Scott began her role as instructor of science education at Georgia Southern in 2007 and also currently serves as the co-program director for the Master of Arts (MAT) in Teaching in Middle Grades and Secondary Education. 

During her time at the University, Scott has participated in 21 grant-funded projects totaling over $2 million dollars in funding. One of the ongoing projects includes the Okefenokee: Understanding Real-world Relevance through Suwanee Watershed Assessment and Monitoring Project, (OUR²SWAMP), which Scott serves as co-principal investigator. The project offers a summer on-site learning experience at the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia as well as continued professional development for both in-service and pre-service teachers. This is the final year of the $763,897-funded project.

“Teaching has really been my passion, but I have also been involved in additional pursuits such as grant-funded professional development,” said Scott. “One of the perks of working here has been the opportunity to share knowledge through conference presentations and journal publications.  Although not a requirement for my role as an instructor, I have been actively involved with both and thankful for these opportunities to grow professionally.”

Scott earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies from Georgia Southern. She also holds a master’s in museum science from Texas Tech University, a bachelor’s in zoology from the University of Georgia and a broadfield science certification in teaching.

“Dr. Scott is an incredible asset to our department,” said Amee Adkins, Ph.D., Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education chair. “She brings high levels of energy and enthusiasm for effective teaching, engaging science education, and commitment to scientific discovery. Dr. Scott deserves the honor of this award because of her tireless efforts to our middle grades and secondary MAT candidates.”

The Instructor/Lecturer Faculty Award in Teaching and Service, established in 2020, recognizes and rewards non-tenure track faculty who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of teaching and service. Non-tenure track faculty who have completed at least three years of service in the College are eligible for consideration. Evaluation criteria include consistent, successful service activities, diverse service, uncompensated service, evaluations of teaching, evidence of professional development, engagement in curricular activities, and collaborative work with P-12 educators.

“The Instructor/Lecturer Faculty Award in Teaching and Service is such an accomplishment,” said Scott. “This new award finally recognizes the hard work that instructors do alongside tenure-track faculty. I look forward to seeing other well-deserving instructors recognized as well.”

The Instructor/Lecturer Faculty Award is funded by donor support to the College of Education. Donations can be made to the fund to support this award by designating support to fund GS4502.