The day before she was recognized as an Educator of the Year, Julie Chirban said to her colleagues, “It is the neatest thing to see my students growing and that I get to be part of their story.”

That level of care and dedication to teaching and her students is why, in part, she was named the Missouri Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (MO-OADN) Educator of Year. Chirban, a nursing instructor at ECC-Rolla, was nominated by Joannie Blakely, ECC-Rolla Nursing program coordinator.

“Julie said she is so blessed that she has just a moment of your life, and she is part of your story,” Blakley said to the students who gathered for the award announcement. “She thinks that’s the most amazing thing.”

Chirban, of Rolla, was presented the award in front of coworkers and the first- and second-year nursing students.

“It is so cool that I get to have a footprint in your path,” Chirban said to the students. “To me it’s such an honor and blessing and I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.

“You’re going to do amazing things and I am so excited that I get to have a part of your story.”

Challenging Students

To be considered for this award, instructors must have three years of teaching experience in an Associate Degree Nursing program and spend more than half their time with students in classroom or clinical settings.

“She embraces new teaching strategies and technologies to reach every learning style within her classroom,” Blakely wrote in the nomination. “Julie makes learning fun while engaging and challenging students to critically think and make clinical judgments.

“She maintains the highest standards personally, professional, ethically and academically for herself and her students,” she added. “Julie is devoted and passionate about nursing education and preparing future nurses for the workforce.”

Innovative Teaching

Chirban implements innovative instructional methods that encourages critical thinking and motivates students to perform at the highest level.

“Julie has a love of technology that shines in her classroom, whether it be face-to-face or online,” Blakley said, adding that Chirban recently had students create a TikTok video that showcased specific medications.

“This technique challenged students to collaborate with one another to create a teaching presentation video highlighting their medication. Students voiced the benefit of this technique especially when asked to recall apply medication knowledge.”

Chirban also is a role model as a professional nurse, she works closely with her with colleagues to the benefit of the Nursing program; and she is involved in college, professional and community activities.

“Julie collaborates with the local hospital to teach newborn classes to expecting parents and continuing education to fellow nurses and physicians,” Blakely wrote. “Julie also developed a summer community course for school-aged children on caring for newborns.”

About the OADN

The mission of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is to provide visionary leadership in nursing education to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities served. OADN ensures that Associate Degree Nursing remains a pathway for a diverse spectrum of students, enriching the profession and meeting the health care needs of patients, families and communities.