Natural Science instructor receives Stirnaman Award

Scott Layton, Natural Science Department instructor, recently became the seventh recipient of the Paul Stirnaman Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence.

Layton received the award during Cowley College’s Back to School In-Service held Aug. 13 in the Earle N. Wright Community Room.

“Scott is very deserving of this award,” Cowley College vice president of academic affairs Slade Griffiths said. “He exemplifies all of the high ideals of the faculty.”

The award is named for Paul Stirnaman, a long-time Social Science Department instructor and strong supporter of the College Education Association. He died June 16, 2000, following a lengthy illness.
As an instructor in the natural science department, Layton is responsible for teaching microbiology and biology classes. He received bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University.
“I am humbled to be recognized by my peers,” Layton said. “I hold the people that were nominated for the award in the highest regard.”

Layton, who enjoys the success stories that come about through education, serves as Cowley College’s Math and Science Club co-sponsor and was listed in the Who’s Who Among American Teachers in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 academic years. He was also named the Teacher of the Year at Stillwater Junior High School in 2001.

“Scott is extremely knowledgeable, a great teacher, and is willing to help students reach their goals,” Griffiths said.

He has taught at Cowley for the past six years.

“I really enjoy the people I get to work with,” Layton said. “I also have a great degree of freedom in what I can teach and introduce into the classroom.”

Layton is a member of the Cowley Education Association, KNEA, and NEA. He and his wife, Debbie, have a daughter, Anisa 5.