Meagan Newberry has been chosen as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for the month of November. Newberry’s nomination came in part for her work with CWI’s English 101Plus model. Her work with students of all education levels embodies the CWI core values of “serving all in an atmosphere of caring” and “innovating for the 21st century.”
Since she began teaching at the College, Newberry has been involved in working with developmental English students, acting as the Developmental English program chair in her first year as full-time faculty and co-leading a professional development group from CWI and Boise State University working on remediation reform in her second year. In this role, she also co-led a weeklong institute for composition instructors from each state college and university. This year, she is representing Idaho as ELA achievement level setter for Smarter Balance. She has been a committed participant in curriculum work both as an adjunct and full-time faculty member, and she actively seeks out professional development and generously shares what she learns with her colleagues both formally (at department meetings) and informally (in conversation).
While these accomplishments are noteworthy, it is Newberry’s commitment to students that is most important. While the change to English 101Plus was initiated in response to changing state guidelines, Newberry has continually reminded the English Department of the very real impact this has on the students at CWI; she talks about and treats all of her students as adults with complicated lives with no lessening of standards. She cares deeply for each individual and one of her former students said of Newberry “she doesn’t teach lessons, she teaches people.”
Please join in congratulating Meagan. Thank you for being dedicated to helping CWI’s students succeed.
