Sparta Live

Garnto named state dual enrollment instructor of the year

by Emanuel County Live | March 31, 2011 9:24 am

   Maxine Garnto was named Georgia’s Dual

Enrollment Instructor of the Year at a Technical College System of

Georgia banquet on March 16 at the Georgia International Convention

Center in Atlanta. Garnto is a Certified Nurse Aide instructor at

the Swainsboro campus of Southeastern Technical College.

   “This was quite an honor and I feel very humbled that I was

chosen,” said Garnto.

   High School Coordinators at each technical college in the state

wrote an essay nominating one instructor for the award, and TCSG

High School Initiative Coordinator Sheila Caldwell chose the

winner. Garnto was nominated by Kathryn Smith, one of Southeastern

Technical College’s High School Initiatives Coordinators.

   “Mrs. Garnto is deserving of this award for many reasons,” said

Smith, “The reason that is the most obvious is her love for the

subject she teaches and the students she serves.

   “I have had numerous students express their love and gratitude

towards Mrs. Garnto for the patience and understanding she

exhibited towards them in the classroom, some even expressing this

years after they completed her program.”

   In addition to her Certified Nurse Aide courses, Garnto also

teaches Medical Terminology and Diet and Nutrition classes. Garnto

values the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,

whether they’re a high school or college student.

   “I love a good challenge and working with the high school

students is that,” said Garnto, “I have a passion for nursing and

health, and I want these students to succeed in the medical

field.”

   “She wants to ensure that all students are working to the best

of their ability, and she gives them numerous opportunities to

succeed,” added Smith, “She makes certain that students have an

ample understanding of the material, and is not satisfied with

‘just giving a student a passing grade.'” 

   Garnto has worked as a nurse for 35 years, serving the first 18

at Laurens Memorial Hospital and Fairview Hospital. She then worked

at Three Rivers Home Health Services, beginning in 1991, before

starting work as an adjunct for Southeastern Technical College in

2007. She became a full-time instructor the following year. Garnto

lives in Dublin her husband, Wendell.