Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Automotive Technology Program Coordinator, Jesse Davis, received the 2016 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.

Three nominees participated in the interviews in December, they were: Sherry Carroll (Psychology Instructor), Don Mason (Math Instructor), and Jesse Davis (Automotive Technology Program Coordinator). Davis will compete at the regional level in Tifton on the Southern Regional Technical College campus in March.

Davis was nominated by his peers throughout the college. He is described as “an excellent instructor and his students are extremely fond of him.  He takes extra time with this students, his knowledge impacts many students and inspires them to know they can be successful in their career”. Davis began his teaching career in 1994 as an evening adjunct instructor at what was East Central Technical College.   When asked about being chosen as this year’s winner, Davis shared “Wiregrass is full of loving, talented, and caring instructors. What an honor to be even nominated and then chosen as the Rick Perkins Award winner.”  He feels that changing a student’s life is the best feeling in the world.  At the influence of his mother, he attended school at East Central Tech in Automotive at the age of 16 years old and graduated at 18.  The program for him was life changing.  The very lab where he learned automotive skills that turned into a career for him is now Davis’ classroom and life. His favorite saying that he applies in the classroom and life is, “Always do something today to make others happy and then, in return, it will make you happy.”

Nicole West, Student Navigator, serves as the Rick Perkins coordinator. Wiregrass employees Lisa Bedford, Dr. Ron O’Meara, Bill Tillman, Mandy Walker, and Jennifer Washington served on the screening committee.
The following instructors were nominated and participated in the selection process for the instructor award (in alphabetical order): Sherry Carroll, Psychology Instructor - Finalist; Jesse Davis, Automotive Technology Program Coordinator–Winner; Kristy Henderson, Department Chair for Professional Services/Cosmetology Program Coordinator; Don Mason, Math Instructor- Finalist; Donna Norman, Math Instructor; Mark Pack, Criminal Justice Instructor; Diann Riley, Program Director, Associate of Science in Nursing; Michael Seabolt, Department Chair for Technical Education/Industrial and Electrical Systems Program Coordinator; Charles Shelton, Biology Instructor; Christine Sherling, Psychology Instructor; Kyle Taft, Early Childhood Care & Education Program Coordinator; Alison Watkins, Technical Specialist/Articulation Coordinator; and Kerry Watts, Environmental Horticulture Program Coordinator.