Each year FDEA recognizes an outstanding developmental educator. The winner is selected from those you nominate based on involvement in FDEA, contributions to developmental education, promotion of student success, and professional creativity.

William Johnson was awarded the FDEA Outstanding Educator Award at October’s conference. Will worked with diligence and passion for our developmental education students in his role as coordinator at Valencia Community College. He developed innovative and successful approaches to teaching math and helped establish consistent assessment processes at the college. Will’s leadership helped Valencia Community College improve its service to developmental education students. His work in establishing a new approach to the math curriculum has had an impact on reading and writing and has lead to changes in the way reading and writing are experienced by students.

The program William Johnson began, The Prep Math Institute (PMI), utilized a modularized curriculum to help students meet their prep math mandate. Will developed this program as part of his requirement for earning certification in developmental education from the Kellogg Institute. The Prep Math Institute was deemed an exemplary practicum by Hunter Boylan and the Kellogg Institute. However, the Prep Math Institute was more than a requirement for Will. His passion and dedication for the program stemmed from his passion for improving the lives of his students. His belief that all students can learn math drove him to perfect his program. That dedication and drive has influenced the teaching of math at Valencia. Specifically, his use of curriculum assistants, common assessments, and an outcome-based curriculum has had a lasting influence on Valencia Community College’s developmental education program. Will has presented his program at numerous conferences and colleges, and it has led to changes at other colleges as well.

As a teacher, Will strives to make connections with students and to offer advice on more than just math. He is both a counselor and math teacher and has always made the extra effort to help developmental math students at Valencia Community College be successful in all their work. Will is also an advocate for students and has helped to influence policies and procedures that directly affect Valencia’s students. He spearheaded changes in grading policies that had a negative impact on student persistence and performance. He constantly reminded all of us that it was our obligation to provide the best teaching and service for students. He constantly asked us to challenge the status quo and create improved ways of teaching and mentoring our students, and his ability to analyze a problem and present clear solutions has been crucial in many other successful initiatives at the college.

Will has also played a key role in faculty development at Valencia Community College. He has partnered with faculty to create training seminars in developmental education for faculty and staff. He has also served on numerous committees involved with making key decision affecting developmental education policy and practice.

Will’s leadership as a member of the FDEA Executive Board and as president has been exemplary. He has shown vision and dedication in helping FDEA serve the state and its developmental educators. All of his work and effort over the years has made him a deserving recipient of the FDEA’s Outstanding Educator Award.

Nicholas Bekas   
Director/Ombudsmen for the EPI Program   
Valencia Community College