The New College Foundation announced that Mrs. Jenny Whittaker was the recipient of the 2021 The Lula White Johnson Distinguished Teaching Award. Whittaker is an adjunct faculty member at Longwood University, teaching math for education majors at New College Institute.
Kevin DeKoninck, Executive Director at New College Foundation said, “If I were to draw a word cloud using words attributed to her it would include organized, kind, respectful, enthusiastic, positive, supportive, available, encouraging, tech savvy and patient. That is quite a list.”
DeKoninck said one recurring theme stood out and it is captured by a student who said, “She helped us think about math through the lens of a young struggling student.”
As part of the award process recipients make a presentation on an educational topic of their choosing. Mrs. Whittaker along with Dr. Pamela Randall (2019 recipient) will be making a joint presentation at a future date to be determined.
The award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque, was made possible by an endowment established through the New College Foundation in 2010 in memory of Johnson, who taught for several decades at Albert Harris High School and Martinsville High School. It is awarded to a faculty member selected among nominations from students and staff at the New College Institute.
