Andover Professor Receives National Teaching Award

HAVERHILL, MA — Four Northern Essex Community College faculty and staff members , including one from Andover, have been named recipients of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Awards for Excellence.

Marilyn McCarthy of Andover, professor of college reading, received this national honor recognizes outstanding faculty and staff in the was country’s community colleges.

This year’s recipients also include Donna Felisberto of Newton, New Hampshire, coordinator of student assessment, credit for life learning and high school equivalency chief examiner; Jennifer Jackson-Stevens of Boston, program coordinator for respiratory care; and Stephen Russell of Pepperell, professor of history and government.

Since 1978, NISOD has been dedicated to the professional development of faculty, administrators, and staff; and to the continued improvement of teaching and learning, with the ultimate goal of student success.

McCarthy began at NECC in 1998 teaching college reading, philosophy, logic, and world religions. She became a full-time developmental reading faculty member in 2001. In 2005, she earned the prestigious certification as a developmental education specialist at the Kellogg Institute for Training and Certification of Developmental Educators through Appalachian State University.
Her practicum focused on assessment and helped NECC shape a useful approach to assessment of its developmental reading curriculum and its impact upon students. She has supported her colleagues in transforming the curriculum to better meet the needs of the developmental student. In spring 2017 she began a sabbatical to learn how to more effectively help students on the autism spectrum succeed at NECC.

Courtesy photo of NISOD recipients include (l to r) Steve Russell, Jennifer Jackson-Stevens, Marilyn McCarthy, and Donna Felisberto.