ESCANABA — Bay College is honoring Terri Doepker, part-time sociology and human services instructor, as one of its recipients of the Outstanding Educator Award, sponsored by the Don Johnson Agency/MEEMIC Insurance. To receive consideration for the award, faculty were nominated by a colleague, student, or someone from the community. The primary focus of this award is to acknowledge faculty’s commitment to education and excellence in service to others.

Beginning her 18th year at Bay College, Doepker teaches courses in sociology, human services and social work. Her social work experience includes probate and juvenile court, maternal and infant health services, parenting education, and family services coordination for EARLY ON Michigan PART C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In these capacities, Doepker was a co-recipient of the Margaret M. Baldwin Award for outstanding family-professional partnership in the state of Michigan. Terri served five years as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

She holds an MA from Arizona State University School of Social and Family Dynamics. Her graduate fieldwork involved intensive family intervention. She is training for a trauma certificate from Michigan State University School of Social Work, which is also a component of her licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW).

Doepker enjoys creative activities such as cooking, exploring nature, and painting from her photos. Family is central to Terri’s life, as a mother of adult children, and a grandmother, not to mention being married to Bob Doepker, who teaches Essential Biology part-time at West Campus.

“If you know Terri, then you know her to be a warm, deeply caring, intelligent, and compassionate educator, colleague and mentor. Her work at Bay College is greatly valued and impactful, and we are very lucky to have her as a colleague at Bay College.” Congratulations, Terri,” Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Amy Reddinger said.

Visit the website www.baycollege.edu/awards to watch a short video of Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Amy Reddinger, presenting the Outstanding Educator Award to Terri Doepker along with her acceptance speech.