Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Business Management Program Coordinator, Alyssa Foskey, received the 2015 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction, also known as Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction is awarded annually. This award is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Instructors are nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by their peers. Competition among instructors occurs at the college, regional, and state levels.

Twenty nominees participated in the interviews in December, and the screening committee selected the following four finalists: Tim Drexler, Computer Information Systems; Bryan McRee, Criminal Justice; and Donna Norman, Mathematics. She will compete at the regional level in Tifton on the Moultrie Tech campus in February.

Foskey was nominated by her peers throughout the college. She is described as “an awesome instructor who makes learning interesting.  She and her students have a great respect for each other and she works closely with her students even after graduating to make sure they are employed or getting the help they need to obtain employment”. Foskey has been an instructor at Wiregrass since 2007. When asked about being chosen as this year’s winner, Foskey stated “I am honored to be named our Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year!  I never imagined I would be in a teaching career, but God has navigated my steps and prepared me to be the best instructor to my students.  I still seek to improve daily. I’m truly honored to be nominated with the other instructors and look to do my best at state as I represent Wiregrass.”  She has her undergraduate degree in Speech Communications from Valdosta State University and is currently working on completing her Masters in Business Administration degree. She strives to bring excitement and energy to the classroom.  Her goal is to encourage thinking in rational ways, so the practices and theories students study can be applied in other, unfamiliar situations. 

Sabrina Cox, Director of Distance Education, serves as the Rick Perkins coordinator. Wiregrass employees Sonya Alexander, Sally Dorminey, Keith Whitley, Brandy Wilkes, and Debbie Wright served on the screening committee.

The following instructors were nominated and participated in the selection process for the instructor award (in alphabetical order); Jesse Davis, Automotive Technology Program Coordinator; Tim Drexler, Computer Information Systems Program Coordinator–Finalist; Christi Fletcher, Business Administrative Technology Instructor; Alyssa Foskey, Business Management Program Coordinator - Winner; Kristy Henderson, Department Chair for Professional Services/Cosmetology Program Coordinator; Alice Jackson, Practical Nursing Instructor; Phyllis Lightsey, Marketing Management Program Coordinator; Don Mason, Math Instructor; Bryan McRee, Criminal Justice Instructor - Finalist; Kim Nolan, Adult Education Instructor; Donna Norman, Mathematics Instructor– Finalist; Lee Ogletree, English Instructor; John Royals, Automotive Technology Instructor; Scott Watson, Air Conditioning Program Coordinator; and Kerry Watts, Environmental Horticulture Program Coordinator.