Students honor office careers instructor with prestigious award
Charlotte Kodner
Charlotte Kodner, an office careers instructor at Dakota County Technical College, was named the 2010 “Instructor of the Year” by the Minnesota State College Student Association, or MSCSA. Kodner has taught at DCTC for more than three decades.
The award process begins with student nominations and the MSCSA student leadership selects the winner, making the honor particularly significant. The MSCSA represents students attending Minnesota’s two-year technical, community and comprehensive colleges on 47 campuses while advocating for more than 100,000 students across the state. The MSCSA “Instructor of the Year” Award spotlights Kodner’s remarkable career, which is defined by an extraordinary commitment to student success.
Anna Voight, a 2009 graduate of the Executive and Administrative Assistant program, nominated Kodner for the award. In her nomination letter, Voight included the following quote from William Arthur Ward: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
“Charlotte is a teacher who inspires,” concluded Voight, who credits much of her academic success and extensive co-curricular involvement on campus to Kodner’s sage counsel.
For her part, Kodner could not be happier to receive the award. During her acceptance speech she noted that educators do not choose their calling for awards or money. “But let me tell you,” she said, “receiving this particular award is really an incredible experience. It is especially poignant as it is recognition and an award from the students.”
“I view my role as an educator as one where I have an opportunity to help individuals discover their talents,” Kodner went on to say, “overcome what some feel are their limitations—and many of those are self-imposed, guide them to achieve their potential, and celebrate their successes.”
A native of Prescott, Wis., Charlotte Kodner is the daughter of Pearl and Charles Henning.
To learn more, please read the official MSCSA media release courtesy of Jonathan Miller, MSCSA director of communications: DCTC Faculty Member Named MSCSA “Instructor of the Year”
Watch Charlotte Kodner’s acceptance speech
Click below to visit MSCSA’s photostream on Flickr
MSCSA Spring General Assembly 2010
(left to right) Kate Homan, Adam Koenig, Jaycob Martin, Charlotte Kodner, Anna Voight, Rebekah Voight
Charlotte is a phenomenal instructor who is very deserving of this award! I was honored to be present when she received it.
Charlotte is a committed and dedicated instructor with a passion in developing students to be the best that they can be in their chosen career path. Charlotte is a chapter member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and has been instrumental in introducing her students to the Association. Congratualtions Charlotte!