PECE, Inc.

As an alumnus and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa of Northwest Shoals Community College in May, 2004, I became a first time college graduate in my family, thanks to Mr. Claude Eubanks.  It was Mr. Eubanks’ kindness, understanding, and encouragement that instilled hope and confidence in me to attempt Math 098.  Mr. Eubanks is a great motivational speaker and quickly calmed any intimidating fears I was experiencing as a nontraditional student.  I began taking classes at NWSCC for personal satisfaction with a desire to possibly enter law school one day.  I was inspired to enter college after becoming a volunteer for a domestic violence shelter in our local community.  Eventually, after taking several criminal justice classes, I realized that in order to earn an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice I would be required to take several math courses.  It was at this point that I met Mr. Eubanks and began a wonderful new experience in my educational journey.  I have been a licensed cosmetologist in the State of Alabama for more than thirty years, a salon owner for twenty years and a student for the past ten years.  My artistic ability far out weighted my mathematical abilities and I felt I was incapable of learning algebra.  Mr. Eubanks assured me that if I was willing to work at learning, he could teach me.  Mr. Eubanks’ insight on my visual ability to learn quickly came up with an analogy of how I could separate the letters X, Y and Z, letting them become representative of (X) horses, (Y) donkeys,  and (Z), as zebras.  I tell you all of this to demonstrate how Mr. Eubanks’ style of teaching math became a healing process for me and restored my confidence.  I continued my math courses to include 100, 112,110, and Elementary Statistics.

In every student’s life there is at least one teacher that helps to develop a desire, a hunger to learn and to become all you can be.  I can honestly say I would have never received an Associate’s Degree in Pre-Criminal Justice at NWSCC without the faculty support from this two-year community college.  NWSCC developed a foundation that allowed me to continue my education with the University of North Alabama to achieve an Undergraduate in Psychology, Minor in Sociology in December, 2006.  On December 18, 2009 I will graduate with a Masters of Arts in Community Counseling from the University of North Alabama.  The encouragement I received from Mr. Eubanks while attending NWSCC from 1999 to 2004 was the most important stepping stone of my educational career.

I meet people every day that talk about going back to school or why they would never return to school.  Most are the nontraditional students like me, but many are seniors in high school that cannot wait to get out.  I encourage them all to give it a try, even if it means taking one class at time as I did for so many years, five to be exact.  Most males feel they could not survive the English courses while most females feel they could not complete the requirements for the math courses.  I recommend the two year college systems to all parents of young college students and encourage them to obtain their Associate’s Degree.  Obtaining an Associate’s Degree is quite a challenge and it is the first step towards furthering your education to the next higher level. Once again I reiterate Mr. Eubanks’ importance to my own success.  I never miss an opportunity to share him with others, and to brag about his teaching abilities.  Mr. Eubanks’ mannerism is always the same.  He is gregarious, jovial and a role model to all whom meets him.  Mr. Eubanks is a self-made intelligent man that provides good leadership skills not only to his students, but to his community and especially his family.

It is with great gratitude and honor I write this letter of inspiration for Mr. Claude Eubanks as one of his former students.  Mr. Eubanks did not stop being my teacher once I graduated.  Over the years, he has followed my educational success cheering me on to do my best.

Sincerely My Best,

 

Donna Campbell Dupree- October 20, 2009 

 

Mr. Eubanks was excellent at helping me improve my score on my GRE. I only asked him to help me with my math scores. My first score on the GRE was 310 Verbal and 450 Quantitative for a total of 760. I needed to have at least a 900 total for the school that I was applying to. I called Mr. Eubanks and met with him 5-6 hours and then I retook the GRE. It was short notice when I called him we only had 3 weeks to work together on the GRE. The second time I took the GRE I scored a 340 Verbal and 650 Quantitative for a total of a 990. I improved my quantitative score 200 points with help from Mr. Eubanks. It was definitely worth my time to meet with Mr. Eubanks to improve my score.

 

 

 

Bridget Tucker - October 1, 2009 

Before having Mr. Claude Eubanks as my instructor, I was constantly told of his kindness, great teaching techniques, ability to inspire and motivate others.  That was just hearsay, and now I can speak for myself and concur with every one of those statements. 

I had the honor of having Mr. Eubanks in the Spring 2009 for a Physical Science class.  I was terrified of the course itself.  Mr. Eubanks' warm smile and his love of teaching made my learning experience pleasant.   He made learning fun and exciting.

We are so proud to have Mr. Eubanks in the Shoals area wanting to help educate our young adults.  We need more instructors who are there for the love of teaching like Mr. Eubanks.  I appreciate your dedication and hard work that you do for our community.

Nicole Ingram-November 23, 2009 

Claude Eubanks is an excellent teacher.  I thoroughly enjoyed his class.  He paid attention to the students needs and did a great job teaching students with all different backgrounds and interests.  I would encourage anyone to take a class from such a talented instructor.

Rebecca  Stutts Hovater - November 23, 2009

Submitted to the Alabama Post-Secondary Chancellor's Award Committee for Outstanding Academic Instructors               

 First, I would like to offer my congratulations to those responsible for establishing and carrying out a program that recognizes and celebrates Alabama’s outstanding professors.  I feel the esteem of this program is further complimented through the nomination of Mr. Claude Eubanks, professor of mathematics and science, Northwest Shoals Community College.

 Mr. Claude Eubanks’ energy to search, prepare, and provide a relevant classroom that empowers and enriches his students in their pursuit of skills and understanding is remarkable.  He is always searching for more effective ways to accomplish the goals he has set for his class. 

 I am in my tenth year as an elementary principal, and I have learned that it requires extra time, much of that time after regular school hours, to be an effective leader. Mr. Eubanks is always willing to go the second mile.  As one of his students, I remember one of his most admirable traits was his caring attitude.  He made me feel as if I was the most important student in his class.  I just did not realize the he made all of us feel that way.

 If Mr. Claude Eubanks is chosen to represent the college system, there is no doubt that he will exemplify what a professor should be.  His dedication to his profession, family, and Christian beliefs are impeccable. 

 Understanding that you, as committee members, have to choose between so many outstanding professors, my hope is that I have conveyed justice to an example of an excellent teacher. I have been blessed to know his as a peer in education, as a former student of his, and also as a friend.

 

 Hal R. Horton Ed.D.-November 16, 2009