Recognizing Excellence
USPS celebrates the Chapman teaching award winners for 2012.
By Pat Greer
The Charles F. Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes outstanding volunteer USPS course instructors. Once a year, each USPS squadron nominates a stellar instructor to its district, which selects one winner for final judging at the national level. The Chapman Award Selection Group chooses the five most effective volunteer instructors in USPS to receive the national award.
At the USPS Annual Meeting in January 2013, the winners each received a plaque honoring their achievement, a four-year USPS certified instructor card and a gold Chapman Award lapel pin. The winners’ nominating squadrons each received a high quality sextant in a presentation case labeled with the winner’s name and squadron.
The district nominees’ names are recorded in a permanent log kept in the Memorial Library at USPS headquarters in Raleigh, N.C.
USPS congratulates the 2012 Charles F. Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching winners, a diverse and dedicated group of members who have earned the respect of their peers.
P/Lt/C Ann E. Einboden, AP, of District 16’s Friday Harbor Power Squadron, resides in Friday Harbor, Wash. She has been a USPS member for 23 years and has earned 22 merit marks.
In the 20 years that Ann has been assisting, teaching, and serving as squadron educational officer and chair of local boards, she has taught the basic boating class as well as many of the squadron’s advanced and elective courses.
Ann credits USPS education with helping her through many thousands of hours of safe boating in the Pacific Northwest. She tries to pass on her love of learning and boating safety to everyone she teaches.
Ann credits her classes’ success to the fact that she involves a dozen or more qualified squadron presenters and proctors, which she qualifies through her Instructor Development classes. Her enthusiasm motivates them to support her teaching efforts.
P/D/C Richard V. Fiorentini, SN, of District 4’s Raritan Bay Power Squadron, resides in Freehold, N.J. He has been a USPS member for 43 years and has earned 42 merit marks.
After achieving a perfect score on his Advanced Piloting final exam, Dick began teaching the course and continued for 20 years, developing many of his own teaching aids during this time.
For the next 20 years, he assisted in teaching public boating classes, taught Marine Electronics and Engine Maintenance, taught and participated in Predicted Log contests, gave lectures at squadron meetings, and conducted seminars at various yacht clubs and marinas.
In his Engine Maintenance class, he provides hands-on experience with broken parts and draws the students into discussions on what may have caused the problem. His enthusiasm to share his knowledge and experiences and adapt to a diverse group of students shows an extraordinary passion for teaching.
P/D/Lt/C Harold (Nick) Howard, SN, of District 22’s Peace River Sail & Power Squadron, resides in Punta Gorda, Fla. He has been a USPS member for 49 years and has earned 46 merit marks.
Nick has been a part of almost every course and seminar taught. Using his boating knowledge and expertise, he presents and explains all the material students need while inspiring them to learn. He is always patient. Many of his students have become senior navigators and heavily involved in the squadron, because of their positive experiences and Nick’s encouragement.
Real learning takes place when students internalize the material being studied and use this platform to further their knowledge and skills. That is what Nick is able to accomplish.
P/R/C Wayne G. Spraggins, SN, of District 7’s Berea Power Squadron, resides in Seven Hills, Ohio. He has been a USPS member for 42 years and has earned 40 merit marks.
Wayne is an extraordinary instructor. He teaches the ABC3 boating class as well as Piloting and Advanced Piloting. In addition, he runs children’s classes in safe boating and is involved with the Boat Operator Certification program.
He has learned the material so well he does not talk “at” the class but “to” the class, using the PowerPoint presentation as an aid and guide. He includes practical examples using real-life situations to which students can relate. Wayne exemplifies the mission of USPS by promoting and practicing the ideals of safe boating.
P/C Charles H. Wilsdorf, SN, of District 26’s Golden Isles Sail & Power Squadron, resides in Brunswick, Ga. He has been a USPS member for 18 years and has earned 11 merit marks.
Having taught most of the advanced and elective courses for his squadron, Charles is a major contributor to the growth and retention of its membership, through his ability to teach, his contagious enthusiasm and his willingness to share real-world experiences.
Charles ensures that each student understands the material and develops the skills required to pass the course. A skilled yachtsman, he uses that experience and knowledge when teaching novices and experienced boaters alike. His ability to generate student interest in a cadre of courses has contributed greatly to the success of the squadron’s educational programs.
P/R/C Pat Greer, SN, of Raritan Bay Power Squadron, has worked in the Educational Department for 23 years, managing the Instructor Development and Publishing committees as well as supporting a number of other national committees. A longtime sailor, Pat is now teaching the Sail course for Raritan Bay.
