Dr. Jo Wen Wu Named Fullerton College Teacher of the Year
Biology Professor Dr. Jo Wen Wu has been named the 2016 Fullerton College Teacher of the Year. News of the award was shared with Wu during a surprise visit to her classroom on April 6 after she received several nominations from former students praising her contributions to their academic success. This is Wu’s second Teacher of Year award; she was recipient of the 2013 Teacher of the Year.
The campus community will honor Wu during the Teacher of the Year celebration and reception on April 28 from 11 a.m. – 12 noon on the Student Center patio.
The nominations included countless recognition for Wu’s extraordinary instruction, thoughtful guidance and caring mentorship. A former student, who now attends UCLA, said Wu is comparable to some of the best professors at UCLA while another student credited Wu for helping her attain a biochemistry research opportunity which led to a turning point in her academic career.
“Dr. Wu always put a student’s education first and foremost when she taught,” said one nominator. “When she saw a student struggle with a concept she was always willing to provide that crucial extra attention to help clarify any difficulties or confusions.”
Another student added, “Dr. Wu’s teaching style was hands on…within the classroom she would walk around making sure we understood the reason behind what we were doing.”
All the nominations highlighted Wu’s personal care inside and outside of the classroom that made a huge difference for daunting subjects, such as cell and molecular biology, making Wu well deserving of the Teacher of the Year award. Her teaching career spans across 30 years, 26 of those years teaching biology at Fullerton College.
Wu’s teaching philosophy challenges students to think critically, apply their knowledge, encourage realistic career goals, infuse practical hands-on skills, and inspire students into lifelong appreciation of science. She carries an enthusiasm for teaching biology which is a reflection of her passion for science and a genuine desire to better prepare students toward their future career goals. She currently teaches two sections of cell and molecular biology including labs, and one section of genetics and biotechnology in society.
In addition to classroom instruction, Wu has served as the FC Science Club advisor for the past 20 years and has been coordinator of the Amgen Biotechnology Experience since 2002, which provides reagents, technical support, and loan of equipment kits to more than 7,400 students and more than 60 teachers in Orange and Riverside county schools. She also serves on a number of advisory boards at Fullerton College and universities including Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine. In addition, Wu has designed and hosted science summer camps at FC for the past six years. The project-based camps provide middle and high school-age students with an opportunity to explore science career options and work with college-level science equipment.
Wu will also be submitted as an NOCCCD nominee for the Orange County Department of Education’s 2017 OC Teacher of the Year. The regional award seeks to recognize community college teachers in Orange County whose efforts have inspired and enabled students to improve their lives in ways specifically attributable to that teacher.
The Teacher of Year celebration on April 28 will also recognize nine other finalists: Maria Cardena, Mary Nolan-Riegle, Guy Dadson, Angie Andrus, Michael Mangan, Ryan Shiroma, Elizabeth Gaitatjis, Nicole Rossi and Brendan O’Neil.
For more information contact Student Activities at 714-992-7095.
