April 18, 2018
Pictured left to right: NCTC President Dennis Bona, Dr. Jeffrey Bell, Vice President of Academic Affairs Carey Castle.
APRIL 18, 2018 The Minnesota State Board of Trustees named Dr. Jeffrey Bell, biology instructor at Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC), a 2018 Educator of the Year. Dr. Bell was presented the Award for Excellence in Teaching, which acknowledges and rewards exceptional professional accomplishments. Dr. Bell is the second NCTC faculty member to receive this prestigious award. Dr. Justin Berry, instructor in the Physical Therapy Assistant program, was the 2016 award recipient.
Dr. Bell has been a faculty member at NCTC since 2008, and has demonstrated dedication to his profession, college, and community. Dr. Bell is a recognized expert and has earned multiple academic degrees in Biological Sciences including a M.S. in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Biology. He has published and presented on critical topics in the field and continues to seek scholarly opportunities. Dr. Bell stays active in research locally and internationally by operating a bird banding station outside of Crookston, MN, for the national Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program conducting research on avian malaria, a parasitic disease of birds in South America.
“We are very proud to have an extraordinary faculty member like Dr. Bell at NCTC,” said President Dr. Dennis Bona. “He is an authority in his field and committed to student success making him a stand-out at NCTC. We are so pleased that the Minnesota State Board of Trustees has honored him with this award.”
![2018 Educator of the Year Award Dr. Bell](/now/news/_pictures/1686h.jpg)
Dr. Bell was selected as the NCTC nominee in January 2018 and submitted his portfolio to highlight his professional accomplishments for review by the Board of Trustees. Each nominee was evaluated on teaching strategies and materials; content expertise and professional growth; assessment of student learning and performance; and service to students, the profession, the institution, and the Minnesota State system.
Campus Dean, Dr. Brian Huschle said, “We are truly honored that Dr. Bell has been recognized as an educational leader. He exemplifies teaching excellence through his thoughtful engagement of students in both lecture and lab settings. Dr. Bell creates an engaging classroom environment in which students are free to ask questions and able to apply the course content into their own interests and career paths.”
The opportunity to aid students in their educational journey, to help them develop the skills they will need to be successful, not only now but in the future, and to instill in them a love of learning, is a privilege and the real reward.
Dr. Bell provides a student-focused atmosphere that contributes to NCTC’s highly talented graduates. Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Carey Castle had this to say about Dr. Bell’s award, “Jeff truly deserves this award and has continually demonstrated his focus, skill, and dedication to his students and NCTC. I continue to be impressed by his ability to work with students and colleagues to make his classes a great experience with superior results.”
![2018 Educator of the Year Award Dr. Bell](/now/news/_pictures/1686e.jpg)
Students and alumni had these things to say about him:
“Dr. Jeffrey Bell is a great teacher, the best for Anatomy and Physiology. He made it really easy to attend class and lab because he’s a really great lecturer.”
“He is an amazing instructor and is very understanding. I would recommend him for all Anatomy classes.”
“Jeff is a great guy, and a wonderful professor! I’m very happy that I ended up in his class … I highly recommend him!”
“Jeff is an AMAZING teacher, probably the best I have had at the college. He explains things very well and draws out complicated subjects on the board to further explain. He is respectful and understanding.”
Dr. Bell remarked, “I am truly honored to receive this award. It is quite a humbling experience to be in the company of so many exceptional educators from the state. We all share a passion for teaching, for helping students reach their goals.” He added, “The opportunity to aid students in their educational journey, to help them develop the skills they will need to be successful, not only now but in the future, and to instill in them a love of learning, is a privilege and the real reward. I feel truly fortunate to be a teacher, to have shared so many wonderful experiences with students over the years. I am also grateful to teach at Northland, a college that truly supports students and teaching.” Dr. Bell is an exemplification of what makes NCTC unique.
![2018 Educator of the Year Award Dr. Bell](/now/news/_pictures/1686f.jpg)