Western Oklahoma State College faculty member, Rachel Randall, was named AFA Chapter 342 Teacher of the Year (9-12). Randall combines eight years of teaching experience and many years of outside work experience to give students a well-rounded view outside the classroom.
Randall is a Biology instructor at Western and teaches General Biology to high school students through a unique partnership with Southwest Technology Center (SWTC) in the Biomedical Science program. "I am proud to help bring these applied learning experiences to high school concurrent students at a college level," said Randall. Randall also teaches various biological science courses, including General Biology, Biology I and II, Botany, Zoology, and Medical Terminology, to both concurrent and traditional college students.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from Tarleton State University, she has gained many years of experience that she brings to her students. Randall has farmed and ranched her entire life, worked in the oilfield reporting oil/gas and environmental issues, worked for the USDA, and returned to school to become a certified hospital lab technician. During her time as a lab technician, she taught primary and secondary science classes. She obtained her Master of Science in Forensic Biology and began teaching at Western in January 2022. "I think I bring my outside-world experience to the classroom and the lab. Only a few students learn from sitting through a lecture. I believe it requires hands-on experience and real-world applications, " said Randall.
Randall begins each day with a quote by Rick Rigsby, "Everyday, ask yourself, how you livin'? Don't judge, show up early, be kind and make sure that the servant's towel you hold is huge and used."
Outside of teaching, Randall actively serves as a board member of the Oklahoma State Society of American Medical Technologists and the American Medical Technologist Continuing Education Committee. "It is essential to stay active in other fields so that I can bring application and knowledge back to my students," said Randall, " I am committed to meeting them where they are and guiding their progression to the next level."
The AFA Chapter 342, located in Altus, Oklahoma, recognizes some of the outstanding leaders at all levels at Altus Air Force Base and its supporting community. Many of these individuals are the best at what they do, and all of them have provided leadership to their peers, subordinates, and charges through both the outstanding execution of their expertise and their unfaltering example as to how to get the job done right!Â
