(Above) David Mitchell 2010 Faculty of the Year
Melbourne – Ozarka College has announced Science Instructor, David Mitchell as its 2010 Faculty of the Year. David will represent Ozarka in October at the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) annual fall conference in Hot Springs.
Mitchell began his career at Ozarka College as a non-traditional student. He graduated with his Associate of Arts degree and continued his education at the University of Central Arkansas receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Master’s in Biology.
Through his determination and love of the sciences, David joined the science faculty ranks at Ozarka College in Fall 2008. His enthusiasm for the sciences and his students is evident as he is commonly heard saying, “I’d rather be right here, right now teaching Biology, than be anywhere else in the entire world.”
A true advocate for Ozarka and the benefits it provides to individuals and families, David adds, “We say that ‘Ozarka College provides life changing experiences’, and I can personally say that attending Ozarka did change my life! I would have never gone to college, much less pursued a graduate degree, if not for Ozarka having a site in Mountain View.” He goes on to say, “It feels great to be a part of something worthwhile and I hope I can give back a little of what Ozarka has given me and my family.”
David lives in Fox with his wife, Sheila, who is the elementary principal at Rural Special Elementary School. They have one daughter, Echo, who David says is the greatest blessing in their lives. He is a Stone County native, graduating from Mountain View High School. He enjoys playing music and being outdoors, especially fishing and camping with his family. One fact about Mitchell that might surprise people is that he has traveled across the United States more than once on a motorcycle.
Summarizing his experience with Ozarka College, David says, “Working here gives me the opportunity to teach a subject that I really care about, be outdoors from time to time, and still live in Stone County.”
