Everest College-Melrose Park recently honored one of its own, faculty member Jamie McKinley with the Everest Dream Maker Award for excellence in teaching.

McKinley, a computer and information technology instructor, is only one of eight in 2013 to be given this award. More than 3,500 Everest College instructors across the country and in Canada are considered.

The Everest Dream Maker Award distinguishes McKinley as an instructor who exemplifies the very best in teaching while also inspiring students to learn and achieve.

“Jamie consistently achieves what many would find a daunting task – successfully teaching the fundamentals of organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating insurance claim forms, but students love him for his commitment to them as individuals,” said Everest College-Melrose Park president Larry Brueck. “Students leave his classroom feeling more confident in themselves and what they have to offer the world.”

Teacher evaluation comments show the students’ admiration for McKinley.

“He goes out of his way to help his class succeed,” one student wrote.
McKinley is “a very kind and patient instructor; I was scared to go back to school, and now I couldn’t be happier,” another wrote.

A Chicago native, McKinley works outside of the classroom, helping students after hours as well as giving extra time to help in the school’s career services department.

“Jamie’s presence and leadership greatly contribute to the success of our students in the field of insurance billing and coding, and our campus is truly a more dynamic place because of his efforts,” Brueck said.

The Dream Maker Award winners are selected by Everest’s educators and administration.