Emerson 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award Winners
November 05, 2025
Posted by STLCC in News Resources
The Emerson Foundation annually recognizes educators throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area who excel in their fields and make a positive impact on students. This year, STLCC is proud to announce three members of our faculty who are being recognized with the Emerson 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award winners: Tabitha Goodman, assistant professor, Florissant Valley; Joshua Walker, professor, automotive technology; and Rebecca Winter, assistant professor, English, Meramec.
Tabitha Goodman, Assistant Professor, Nursing - Florissant Valley
Tabitha Goodman’s dedication to nursing student success is unmatched, demonstrated through her innovative teaching methods and tireless commitment to the nursing division. She developed a comprehensive nursing workbook and accompanying study plans that have transformed the way STLCC students prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination. This resource was so well received that she was invited to present it twice at the annual ATI National Nurse Educator Summit, due to its overwhelming popularity.
Beyond her classroom innovation, Goodman invests deeply in the success of the nursing program by mentoring new faculty and sharing best practices to strengthen teaching effectiveness. She is a driving force in implementing creative strategies for student retention and ensures learners are equipped to not only persist but thrive as nurses.
Joshua Walker, Professor, Automotive Technology – Forest Park
Walker began his automotive career as a student in the automotive technology program at St. Louis Community College in 2005. While a student, he worked as a tutor for automotive students between his classes and, in 2008, was selected as the first automotive technology student to serve as the commencement speaker.
After graduation, he spent about five years at repair shops where he specialized in vehicle diagnostics. In 2013, he returned to STLCC as an instructor in the automotive technology program.
Walker later took on the role of program coordinator for the diesel technology program. He rebuilt the program, helped the program achieve accreditation for the first time, updated the curriculum and secured funding for much-needed equipment.
He also served on the committee that designed the recently opened Transportation Education Center. This state-of-the-art facility has allowed the automotive technology program to expand its enrollment and educational opportunities.
Walker teaches the field work class in which students gain real-world experience by working on faculty and staff vehicles. He also teaches the automotive transmissions classes.
Walker has a passion for STLCC and shows it through his extracurricular involvement. Recently, he has participated in a committee tasked with updating the sabbatical process to make it easier for CTE faculty to participate. He has also started the Auto Tech Club, where students restore and race classic cars. He leads students in the Great Race, a nine-day classic car race across the country each summer, giving them a lifetime memory.
Rebecca Winter, Assistant Professor, English - Meramec
Winter, assistant professor of English, has spent more than 20 years making a positive impact on students and staff alike at St. Louis Community College-Meramec. She builds a real connection with her students, implementing multiple surveys throughout the semester to check in on their wellbeing. Several students even return to campus after transferring to four-year universities to engage with her.
One of the defining projects of her ENG 101 course is a unit in which students must engage the public to garner donations for our Student Advocacy & Resource Center. Rebecca invites a member of the SARC team to her class where they explain their needs and then tasks students with using what they’ve learned about rhetoric to reach their audience to have a positive impact on their campus.
She is dedicated to service learning in all fields and serves as the chair of the Meramec Service Learning Committee. Academically, in addition to her work in the classroom, she managed the Meramec Writing Center.
