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FCA names Laura Dickinson Teacher of the Year

Friday, Nov 12, 2010
Loraine O'Connell

Laura Dickinson has taught speech primarily at the Oviedo Campus.

Laura Dickinson

The Florida Communication Association has named Seminole State College of Florida professor Laura Dickinson its Teacher of the Year. The honor is awarded annually to a Florida college or university faculty member who demonstrates teaching excellence.

Dickinson, of Sanford, teaches Introduction to Oral Communication and Honors Oratory. She has been with Seminole State since 2003 and teaching primarily on the Oviedo Campus. Despite battling cancer and undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Dickinson has continued to teach and to mentor students.

Former student Carmen Rios was a member of the College’s speech team. In her letter of support for Dickinson’s nomination, Rios wrote, “…constant doctor’s visits and chemotherapy did not deter her from coaching the team after school hours and on weekends.” Rios says Dickinson’s tenacity helped the team to place fifth in the state. “As a financial analyst at a large corporation in Central Florida, I continue to utilize the skills I learned from Ms. Dickinson’s energized teaching and effective coaching every day.”

Her students are her greatest reward, Dickinson says. “My goal is to transfer my love of communication and public speaking to my students. It’s a skill that will help them the rest of their lives.”

Seminole State College of Florida offers more than 100 degrees and certificate programs. For more information, visit the Degrees of Success website.