EDITORIAL

Orange Coast College faculty members had such a hard time choosing the

school’s Faculty Member of the Year in March that they chose two -- math

professor Valerie Hayward and art professor Karen Mortillaro.

Hayward has been with OCC since 1989. She directs the Coast Community

College District’s innovative TEACh3 Program that trains students for

careers in teaching.

Mortillaro joined the college 32 years ago. She has founded a business

with her husband, received a patent for one of her works and has earned

three fellowships.

On Tuesday, the college honored both of them and has also invited the

two to speak at the school’s graduation.

Overall, the faculty nominated 12 of their own for the annual award.

Among them was political science professor Ken Hearlson, whose name

reached national circles last fall after Muslim students accused him of

harassment during a post-Sept. 11 discussion. He was later cleared of

those charges.

It seems the school’s faculty members who voted for the honor should

all be appreciated, for they picked two very fine individuals for the

award.

“I see myself as a motivator with high expectations. There are no such

things as stupid or dumb questions and no such thing as failure.”

That was Mortillaro, who has the right attitude when it comes to

teaching. Everyone inside and outside of teaching should take those words

to heart.

“If was kind of like ‘Oh my gosh.’ It’s a great place to work and I’ve

had some wonderful mentors.”

And that was Hayward, who obviously comes across as quite grounded and

very flattered -- yet additional proof she’s worthy of the honor bestowed

upon her.

We hope everyone, especially students, recognizes these two

individuals and learns from their examples. There’s certainly a reason

they’re at the head of the class.