Florio Named Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year
Aaron Frey
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 10:05 AM
Campus News
Galesburg, IL
Debra Florio has been named the 2020 Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year after students and fellow faculty members nominated her for her outstanding work in the classroom.
Florio was recognized as the winner Tuesday during Sandburg’s virtual celebration for its 2019-20 graduates. A health professional for nearly 30 years, Florio joined Sandburg in 2019 for her second stint as an adjunct instructor, teaching nursing.
Florio graduated from Sandburg’s associate degree nursing program in 1992, earned a bachelor’s from Western Illinois University in 1999 and also has her orthopedic nurse certification.
Florio started her career as a staff nurse at Galesburg Cottage Hospital from 1992-95, and she was an adjunct instructor for Sandburg’s certified nursing assistant program from 1994-95. Florio later worked as a home health nurse for Community Hospice (1995-2001), an office nurse for Cottage Home Options (2001-02), an office nurse for Galesburg Orthopedics (2002-13) and the clinic coordinator for Cottage Hospital (2013-18).
“I felt humbled, surprised and honored,” Florio said of learning she had won the award. “It was also a great boost to my confidence, having only recently started teaching. The most rewarding part of teaching is creating an environment which not only includes learning the material but having fun with it, being able to laugh at our mistakes and demonstrating techniques without fear of ridicule. Also, helping students develop a sense of pride when they accomplish a difficult task.”
Debra Florio
Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Recipients
2020 — Debra Florio
2019 — Ginny Knox
2018 — Stephen Jackson
2017 — Kelly Wallenfelsz
2016 — Rex Beetner
2015 — Amanda Nichols
2014 — Paul Marasa
2013 — Sue Scott
2012 — Jena Linkin
2011 — Kim King
2010 — Candy Bryant
2009 — Sue Scott
2008 — Julie Van Fleet
2007 — Eric Alai
2006 — Kirk Watson
2005 — Jeff Gomer
2004 — Lisa Petentler
2003 — Kathleen Karns
2002 — Judy Boynton
2001 — Marla Tourlentes
2000 — Jerry Baker
1999 — Jon Larson
1998 — Marla Garrison
1997 — Marg Baldridge