Congratulations to IVC’s Teachers of the Year for the 2021-22 academic year who were recognized by the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees on April 18. The Teacher of the Year program identifies and honors exemplary teachers, and highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching.
Emily Liu: Outstanding Full-Time Teacher of the Year
Dr. Emily Liu has taught English at IVC for ten years, joining the college full-time in 2016 after lecturing since 2012. She has also served as IVC’s Honors Program Director since 2020.
In their nominations, students praised Emily’s commitment to them as future scholars and as individuals. They cited feeling more prepared for transferring to a four-year university and feeling her personal care for them.
“Professor Liu has made a lasting impact on my life as the director of the Honors Program. Her kindness and encouragement motivated me to take risks and strive for improvement,” one student wrote.
Of the 240 student abstracts submitted to the UC Irvine annual conference on academic research, which is open to all 116 California community colleges, 42 students came from Emily’s honors program.
She has worked with enthusiasm in mentoring IVC honors students, who come from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, to make such levels of success possible for them.
She blends her knowledge and care for students in ways that continue to be meaningful for the students fortunate enough to be under her instruction and for her equally fortunate colleagues.
Annie Tran: Outstanding Part-Time Teacher of the Year
Annie Tran joined Irvine Valley College in 2018 and has taught a variety of courses in the Adult English as a Second Language department, working with everyone from true language beginners up to advanced learners.
Students often comment that Annie is patient, empathetic, enthusiastic, and really cares about them. One student wrote, “Annie Tran is the best teacher I have met; I am honored to be one of her students.”
Part of her popularity comes from her willingness to go out of her way to customize lessons for her students. She also has a gift for explaining concepts in ways that are understandable to her students.
Annie further creates a culturally affirming classroom environment that celebrates the diversity of backgrounds her students bring. She also makes an effort to praise even the smallest of language improvements, students said.
Her dedication to her students and love for her work make her a treasured and respected member of the IVC ESL family.
JoAnna Gee Schoon: Outstanding Emeritus Teacher of the Year
JoAnna Gee Schoon began her association with Irvine Valley College in 1993 as a Community Education instructor for Tai Chi classes.
She teaches traditional taijiquan and qigong, as well as stretching exercises and specialized classes for those with balance and mobility challenges and chronic pain patients.
JoAnna has taught part-time at Irvine Valley College since 2000 and was previously selected as Emeritus Faculty of the Year in 2014. She has a master’s degree in bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego and worked in medical technology for 15 years.
JoAnna is the Executive Vice President of the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association, where she is a lifetime certified trainer, and has served on their Board of Directors for six years. She is a former Gold Medalist and National Champion of the US Wushu Kungfu Federation, and a tournament judge for the International Chinese Martial Arts Club.
Students praised JoAnna’s attention to detail, descriptive instructions, and deep knowledge. They also appreciate the videos and Zoom instruction she began offering during the pandemic. “This class has been a godsend to me, enhancing my stability and mobility after a stroke,” one student noted.