PLANET AEF NAMES 2011 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF) recently announced the recipient of its 2011 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award — Byron John, faculty adviser at Brigham Young University - Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. The award was presented March 20, 2011, at PLANET’s Student Career Days event, hosted by Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois.

The Outstanding Educator of the Year Award was developed by the PLANET AEF, in cooperation with the PLANET Accreditation Committee, to recognize professors who have made significant contributions to green industry education. Educators nominated for this award have devoted time, energy, and enthusiasm to their programs and to the education of future leaders in the industry.

Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree at Utah State University in 1979; M. Ed. at Idaho State University in 1992; and Graduate Study at Utah State University, Byron started his own design build company in the resort town of Park City, Utah. He spent 10 years in the industry, and then went on to teach landscape design classes at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Byron assumed the position of chairman for the Horticulture Department — a position he held for several years. Ricks College transitioned from a junior college to the current four-year institution of Brigham Young University – Idaho where Byron still teaches.

Byron is known to his students and peers as being extremely passionate about the subjects he teaches and having the ability to pass that enthusiasm on to his students. Student advising and career development have been a focus of his tenure at BYU – Idaho. With his concern for the future of his students and their quality of life, he takes the time to meet with them in and out of class and enjoys taking them on industry excursions.

“To see my students’ blossom into productive, contributing members of society and the Green Industry is a thrill. I wake up every morning knowing that there is something new I will learn this day, and that my students will be eager to expand their skills in contributing to this industry. Ours is a passionate industry, and is about making our clients lifestyles better,” says Byron. “I cherish my association with my fellow faculty and industry members and am honored and humbled to be chosen as this year’s recipient.”

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