An education instructor and a faculty secretary have earned Highline Community College's two premier employee awards for the 2004-2005 academic year.

An instructor in the Education department, Joan Graham has won the Outstanding Faculty Award, which comes with a $1,500 cash award donated by Puget Sound Energy.

She was recognized by her colleagues and several students in their nomination materials for her"excellence in teaching, expertise in and contribution to our discipline, and service to our students, the college, and the broader community."

Graham is a highly respected tenured faculty member who has taught at Highline since 1994.

Her leadership in mentoring faculty colleagues on the use of technology in their teaching has made a significant impact college wide.

"Joan's concern about and responsiveness to student needs shows in her passion for teaching by making every class she is involved in an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. She makes time to help all students." wrote students in the Teachers for Tomorrow student club Graham created and advises.

A resident of Kent, Graham earned her bachelor's degree in education from Washington State University and her master's degree in education from Seattle University.

Peers cite her breadth and depth of knowledge as outstanding, noting that she continues to nourish her own education through life-long learning opportunities.

"She remains current in her field and loves to be a student as well as a teacher," one said."Some say that teaching is an art, others say that it is a science. Joan says that teaching is a lifestyle and she certainly lives it."

Linda Quick has earned the Employee of the Year Award, which comes with a $1,500 cash gift funded by the Highline Community College Foundation.

Quick, an Auburn resident, has worked at Highline for 29 years and serves as senior secretary for the Pure and Applied Science division.

"Not only does Linda do a terrific job, she makes it so that a huge number of other employees can do their job better," said a colleague in nominating her for the award.

She was cited not only for her work on behalf of the faculty member she works for, but also for the help she gives to students.

"Her fine writing skills and experience allow her to help students with letters of application for transfer as well as job applications, There is no question Linda goes above and beyond the call of duty."

Quick was instrumental in moving science faculty members from their old offices to their new location in the recently completed Higher Education Center, which Highline shares with Central Washington University.

Quick earned her bachelor's degree in education from Washington State University.