AASU Honors Part-Time Professor with Distinguished Service Award

Savannah, GA—July 23, 2004—Pamela Connor of Armstrong Atlantic State University’s (AASU) College of Education has received the 2004 award for Distinguished Service by a Part-Time Faculty Member. A member of the AASU education faculty since 1998, Connor was recognized for her exemplary teaching at the university and for bringing graduate reading endorsement courses to local school systems. She also was recognized for providing technical and training assistance to Smart Start Georgia, a program that seeks to improve the quality of early care and education for children of all ages. The university presented Connor with a plaque and a $200 check during a recent recognition luncheon.

"Dr. Connor has never received less than a 96% or "excellent" rating on evaluations by students, whose comments note that she is an exemplary and knowledgeable educator," said Maryellen Cosgrove, head of early childhood, middle grades, and adult education at AASU.

Due to her proven abilities, Connor was selected by the College of Education to teach reading endorsement courses for teachers in Effingham County. As part of this effort, she delivers several graduate courses on-site for elementary, middle, and secondary teachers in the school system.

"Not only did Dr. Connor teach the courses one evening per week, but she also returned to the schools during the day to model reading strategies to their students," said Cosgrove. "Good news travels quickly in Southeast Georgia, and soon Liberty County asked AASU if Dr. Connor could deliver the reading endorsement program in their schools!"

Once again, Connor volunteered to represent Armstrong Atlantic by providing technical assistance for the Smart Start Initiative in Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan Counties. At a recent Smart Start board meeting, she was recognized as being a contributing factor to the success of the regional programs.

Smart Start Georgia is a public/private partnership among the State of Georgia, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, United Way of Georgia, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Through innovative programs and outreach initiatives, Smart Start Georgia is working to improve the quality of early care and education for all children ages birth through five, promoting lifetime learning and ensuring greater achievement throughout the child's education and beyond. Smart Start Georgia's vision is that every child in Georgia will start kindergarten ready to succeed.

Connor received her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Georgia Southern University. She earned her M.Ed. and B.S. in education from AASU. Prior to joining AASU’s faculty, she served as a staff development instructor for the Chatham County Board of Education and a first grade teacher at Largo-Tibet Elementary School.