Montgomery County Community College part-time Biology Senior Lecturer Amy Vallette knew from a young age she was going to be a teacher.

“It’s the interaction with students,” she said. “Helping them realize that there are things they can achieve that they may not have thought could be achieved. It’s watching them learn something they didn’t know before and become the best students they can be. It’s that personal connection.”

Her enthusiasm for teaching is being recognized this year as Vallette has been named a recipient of the Part-Time Faculty Teaching Excellence Award presented by the eCampus Bookstore.

Teaching excellence awards recognize part-time faculty whose teaching is intellectually stimulating, accessible for all students, and demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of students both inside and outside of the classroom. Part-time faculty, who have attained the rank of regular or senior lecturer no later than the beginning of the academic year in which the award is conferred and are in good standing with the College at the time of nomination, are eligible for the part-time award. Vallette shares the award this year with part-time Psychology Senior Lecturer Valerie Baker.

Vallette grew up in East Norriton and went to Norristown High School. It was there she discovered a passion for biology, finding beauty in delving into the natural and cellular worlds.

“I always knew I wanted to teach. It was just a matter of what,” she said. “My junior year of high school I knew I wanted to teach biology.”

After high school, Vallette earned a bachelor’s degree from Messiah College, followed by a master’s degree in secondary education from West Chester University in 1998. In 1990, she began a nine-year stint as a biology teacher at Methacton High School. She left the high school in 2000 to go on maternity leave and decided against returning. Two years later a colleague at the high school suggested she look into an open position at Montco to teach biology to non-science majors at the College. It was a perfect fit.

“I love the student that’s leery of science. They save the course until the end when they need to graduate,” she said. “Or the student that comes in loving science but thinking they’re not very good at it. They are my favorite because they realize ‘wow I can be good at this and that’s exciting.”

Another reason Vallette loves teaching the course is because she can help students make connections about what they’re reading in their textbooks to real-world events.

“That has never been more evident than in this past year during the pandemic.  All of sudden, topics that have always been important but perhaps not seen so by my students, became pressingly important.  As we discussed viruses, DNA and evolution, the students saw first-hand the importance of understanding these concepts,” said Vallette. “They realized that when the news media was reporting about the new mRNA vaccine, they could understand the science behind that, and it made it less intimidating. As we discussed the scientific method and evaluating what we read, they were able to apply this as they made decisions about getting vaccinated.”

Vallette tried to find ways to turn potential challenges the pandemic presented into opportunities for learning.

“Being at home for a year meant that things like the nature walks to identify lichens, mosses, fungi, angiosperms, and male cones vs. females cones took on new meaning.  In spending more time at home, students were eager to get out and were able to appreciate the natural world in a new way this year,” said Vallette. “If students can leave the course and not only be a better student, but a more critical thinker and appreciate the world in which they live more, then I feel like I have made a difference.”

Vallette’s enthusiasm for her students and passion for the subject matter are what helped her earn the faculty award this year. 

“Amy’s students describe her as extremely understanding and helpful. She is an instructor who truly cares about student success and well-being,” said Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Vice President of Academic Affairs, at Commencement. “In particular, students spoke about her ability to teach science courses online in a way that engages them and is intellectually stimulating. She uses a wide variety of strategies in teaching to maintain a high level of interaction in the online classroom. Congratulations, Amy!”