Paul Visintainer, Mathematics Instructor and Department Chair, has been named the 2015-2016 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year for Augusta Technical College..

The announcement was made at the Faculty and Staff Meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at Augusta Technical College.

Mr. Visintainer was selected from among 19 participating nominees for this year’s award. He has taught at Augusta Technical College for over 20 years.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors the Technical College System of Georgia’s 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.

The announcement of Visintainer as the Augusta Technical College RPA winner was made by President Terry Elam.

Mr. Visintainer will represent Augusta Technical College at the regional competition at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins on March 10, 2016, and will participate in the state conference at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta on April 19 -20, 2016.

The state winner will carry the title of Technical College System of Georgia’s Instructor of the Year and serves 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 $1000 grand prize is also presented to the deserving award winner.