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Third-Year Faculty 2009-2010

Second Year Faculty Seminar Schedule (pdf 12.45 kB)

“One of my primary roles as an instructor is to provide encouragement and to give students the self confidence they need to succeed as they face challenging new material. I remind students that, as with any new skill, the keys to learning mathematics are practice and repetition.”

Rex Abert, Mathematics Assistant Professor,  earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona in 1985. He later attended Valencia Community College in Orlando, then moved to Tallahassee and completed a master’s degree in applied mathematics at Florida State University in 2000. Graduate work included the study of scientific visualization of ocean currents, solar magnetic fields, and vector field topology. He has been teaching at the college level since 1995. His experience includes teaching mathematics at Maclay School in Tallahassee and teaching at TCC as an adjunct instructor since 2001. Rex also served as a Learning Center Specialist at the Learning Commons. His interests include cooking, computer programming and science fiction.

“My goal is not to convert students into grammarians and English majors, but to help them appreciate the composing process and be able to communicate effectively in any situation. Literacy occurs in and out of the institution, and we, as teachers, must embrace the literacies students bring with them as much as the literacies we teach.”

Brittney Boykins, English Assistant Professor,  earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in secondary English education and her master’s degree in rhetoric and composition at Florida State University. Her research interests, both literary and theoretical, stem from the church. Influenced and raised by black rhetors of the church, she is intrigued by the interaction between speaker and audience. Her present research allowed her to implement the dialectic observed in the black church to the setting of the composition classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys talking, laughing and sharing with the women that mean the world to her – her mother and grandmother.

“Growing up I always wanted to care for and teach others. The field of respiratory care allows me to do both. I have enjoyed a rich career as a therapist working in the acute care setting; now I look forward to imparting this knowledge to future therapists. I anticipate inspiring the students to develop a love of the profession.”

Eileen Durant, Respiratory Care Assistant Professor,  is a Florida native who earned a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from Florida A&M University in 1992. She then earned her master’s degree from Florida State University in 2001. She has worked in the field of respiratory care for the past 17 years. She brings experience from several regional medical centers throughout Florida and Georgia. Eileen holds an instructor’s certificate for teaching Neonatal Resuscitation Program and has served as an adjunct at FAMU or TCC since 1996. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, family and friends.

“Teaching is not a one size fits all enterprise. Differing backgrounds and experiences influence how students learn and retain information. Preparing students for success in college and life is extremely rewarding. Each student I am able to motivate, guide and keep in the classroom, provides continuous affirmation that teaching is truly my calling.”

Robin Haggins, College Success Assistant Professor,  grew up in Miami, Florida, and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Florida State University. Robin worked at FSU for ten years before coming to TCC as an adjunct professor; she has taught college success and career development. Her involvement expanded when she became a contributing author to the College Success textbook. Robin is very active in her community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida State University Credit Union. Robin is married to Odell Haggins and has one daughter, Amelia. She loves to travel with her family and friends and is an avid sports fan.

“As a teacher, loving your profession inspires others to be the best at their profession. I love watching students develop the confidence and necessary skills pertinent to providing optimum patient care. Oral health is a critical part of total health, and I am honored to have the opportunity to play a role in the education of future dental hygienists and dental assistants.”

Lane Meeks, Dental Assistant Professor,  earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida State University in 2001 and an associate of science degree in dental hygiene from TCC in 2005. Lane has served as an adjunct faculty member since the fall of 2005. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at TCC, Lane has been practicing dental hygiene in general dentistry at the office of Cooke & Bryant since 2005. She has contributed to TCC’s recent accreditation process, as well as the development of the TalEval electronic clinical grading system developed at TCC. Lane enjoys time with her boyfriend, Oliver, family, friends and her beloved dog, Jackson. In her spare time, Lane also enjoys working in the garden, scuba diving and relaxing at the beach.

“Writing is a lifelong skill needed in every vocation, which grants me the opportunity to interact with students from all disciplines. I find students benefit most from an interactive style of learning, so I aim to make the classroom experience as engaging as possible.”

Adelaide Mitchell, English Assistant Professor,   earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and her master’s degree in American literature, both from San Diego State University. At SDSU, Adelaide taught in the Rhetoric and Writing Department for two years. For the past year, she has been involved with the San Diego County Community College Internship Program in the English department at Mesa College. Adelaide and her husband are looking forward to getting a dog and living close to her parents who reside here in Tallahassee.

“I can’t write’ is a common phrase that I hear every semester from almost every student. My goal is to change that mentality and teach students the power of their own words. Seeing the confidence that comes from being able to write well is empowering for me and the students.”

Hilary Stillwell, English Assistant Professor,  was born in south Florida and raised in Ocala. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Milligan College in Tennessee in 1999 and a master’s degree in English from Boston College in 2004. Before earning her master’s, she took three years off and traveled and worked in Kennicott, AK; Phoenix, AZ; Mammoth Lakes, CA and Europe. In the fall of 2006, she started working at TCC as the Writing Center Coordinator. She remained in the position for two years, while teaching as an adjunct and helping with the transition of the Writing Center into the Learning Commons. On days off you will find her spending time with her husband and new little girl. Hilary also likes to camp, kayak, hike, swim, read, travel and watch Boston sports teams.

“I was fortunate to be able to receive my education as a returning student. Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to have dedicated teachers who not only taught well, but also motivated and inspired me to pursue my goals. I believe the best way to show appreciation for what my teachers did for me is to do the same for others.”

Yafang Wang, Mathematics Assistant Professor,  was born and raised in Taiwan and came to the United States after high school. Yafang then earned an associate’s degree from TCC and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s in mathematics education from Florida State University. She started working as a learning assistant at TCC’s Math Center in 2003. She became an adjunct professor in TCC’s Divisions of Academic Support and Science and Mathematics after completing her degrees. Yafang also teaches online courses for Western Texas College during the summer. In her spare time, she loves watching movies, going to the beach and traveling with friends. Her most memorable trip so far was climbing 12,500 feet to the top of Mount Fuji.