Kevin (Taylor) Bryant, an instructor in the Automotive Technology program (School of Aviation, Industrial and Engineering Technology) has been named the 2022 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Award winner for Augusta Technical College. The announcement was made virtually by College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl on December 13, 2021.
Selected from among 15 participating faculty candidates for this year’s award, Mr. Bryant is not only an instructor at Augusta Technical College, he is also a graduate. He started teaching at Augusta Tech in 2013 after working in all aspects of Automotive industry, from sales, manufacturing, quality control, parts distribution, management, training, and repair.
“It is such an honor to receive this nomination for excellence in technical education. My life has been impacted by dedicated teachers, instructors, and industry members. They are why I am here today. The opportunity I have to give back to my students is something I do not take for granted and hold in the highest regard,” Bryant says. “As an instructor, we hold the keys to the futures of those that grace our classrooms, and I am so excited to be a part of that.”
Mr. Bryant will represent Augusta Technical College at the regional competition on February 24, 2022, and if selected as a regional finalist, he will participate in state competition in April 2022.
“Augusta Tech applauds Mr. Bryant for being selected as our instructor of the year for 2022. He is a stellar faculty member and role model for our students. He truly exhibits the heart of our faculty members, and we know he will represent us well in the regional and state competitions,” stated Dr. Whirl.
The state winner will carry the title of “Technical College System of Georgia’s Instructor of the Year” and serve as the state’s ambassador for technical education. The winner exemplifies excellence and a commitment to the mission of the Technical College System of Georgia and makes many public appearances throughout the year, including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the governor and the TCSG Leadership Conference, to name a few. A $1,000 grand prize is also presented to the deserving award winner.
The Rick Perkins Award (RPA) for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Georgia Technical College.
