Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated a full-time faculty member who has been a driving force behind the continued success of the Nursing Program for nearly two decades.

Martina Ware, an Associate Professor of Nursing, received the Gladys and Raymond Pearlstine Teaching Excellence Award during an online ceremony with friends, family and coworkers Wednesday, Oct. 7.

MCCC recognizes teaching excellence and honors its exceptional faculty members each academic year at the College’s Commencement Ceremony, which was held online this year due to the pandemic. Teaching excellence awards recognize full-time and part-time faculty whose teaching is intellectually stimulating, accessible for all students, and demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Ware, who lives in Doylestown, began her career at MCCC in August of 2001. Prior to that she taught nursing in the baccalaureate program at Holy Family University.

“The College’s philosophy of the Nursing program fit with my teaching philosophy of a commitment to lifelong learning,” she said on what drew her to MCCC. “And it was a highly regarded program.”

Nearly 20 years later, Ware has helped maintain the program’s stellar reputation and has built upon it. For example, MCCC’s Nursing Program students led the way on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which students must pass in order to become licensed registered nurses, with a first-time pass rate of 97.1 percent. By comparison, the national first- time pass rate is 89.25 percent.  In order for the Nursing Program to maintain approval status from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing students taking the exam must obtain a first-time pass rate of 80 percent.

The Nursing Program also received full reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The decision allows the program to graduate students that are eligible to take NCLEX-RN.

“It speaks to the quality of the program at Montco and the Montco community at large,” she said. “I can’t say enough about the faculty, staff and administration at Montco.”

In addition, she has been heavily involved on campus outside of the Nursing program having served as co-chair of the Faculty Evaluation Taskforce, chair of the Distance Education Committee, long-standing member of the Information Technology Committee, and served as member of the Faculty Working Group for the College's Middle States Commission for Higher Education Self-study.

“I’ve had a chance to interact with many faculty, staff and administrators outside Nursing,” she said. “I’ve made friendships and to see everyone’s commitment to students and their success is very heartwarming.”

A major focus of Ware’s career at MCCC has been improving accessibility for students with disabilities.

“I’ve participated in a task force for students with disabilities to improve accessibility. I did my sabbatical project on student accessibility improvements. It’s an issue that’s near and dear to my heart. That’s one thing Montco does really well is trying to focus strategies to promote student success across the board. We’ve done a lot to address the needs of students at large and faculty, staff and administrators who have needs for accommodations too.”

During the online award ceremony, Gloria Oikelome, Vice President of Academic Affairs, read excerpts from letters of nomination for Ware from some of her students.

“One of Tina’s students writes that ‘Mrs. Ware worked hard to make difficult content easier to understand, as well as had a very open and caring relationship with her students,’” said Oikelome. “‘She would often encourage us to reach out to her if we needed help.’”

“Another comment shared,” Oikelome continued, “was ‘Mrs. Ware would always show a positive attitude and provided an open environment where we were free to discuss any difficulties we were having, whether they directly related to school or not.”

Ware was humbled by the kind words. When she first began teaching after working as a hospital clinician, she said it was difficult to express certain concepts to students who weren’t yet as well versed in the subject matter.

“I was used to nurses that spoke the language,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow I have to figure this out. It’s going over their heads.”

Hearing that she’s now able to simplify difficult concepts proves she’s achieved what she set out to accomplish, she said. At the same time, she’s worked to raise the bar for her students to begin thinking and speaking like clinicians themselves.

In addition, she’s proud that students appreciate her open-door policy. The Nursing program can be very challenging at times, and can require a different style of studying than some students may be used to, she said. That’s why if students have an issue, they are always welcome to visit her office.

“It warms my heart to hear they find me approachable,” she said. “Again, it’s humbling.”

During the online ceremony, MCCC President Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez called Ware’s passion and commitment to students “unparalleled.”

“I am proud to work with you and beside you throughout your career because you have truly touched many lives and have transformed lives,” she said. “And made a difference with our students and our greater community. I’m so proud of you and I’m so proud of what you have accomplished and what your future continues to hold.”

Ware appreciated the support and thanked the College community at large for the award.

“I want to thank everyone,” she said. “Thanks to the faculty, staff and administration for their never-ending support. It’s very true I couldn’t be the educator I am today without all of them. They have made me who I am today. Students as well. I am very proud to be a member of the Montco family.”