White's adaptive methods earn TCC teacher award

Adaptive methods of teaching is what made Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center auto collision instructor Denni White stand out among his colleagues, according to one student.

Finding the best teaching methods to reach every student is what earned White to be selected to represent the PBTCC as the 2019-20 Teacher of the Year.

“Denni does not have a standardized way of teaching in the class,” a student said. “Everyone learns different, so he finds the best way we can learn and uses it.”

With no two being taught the same, White is said to instruct through simply explaining the concept, demonstrating or through hours of practice with students.

“The lessons themselves are different, but the end result is always the same,” the student added.

White joined the PBTCC in 2017 with experience in the auto collision field. He owns his own collision shop since 2004. He is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and attended the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at the University of Central Missouri.

Colleagues said White has been a local resource for the auto collision industry when there are staffing needs and local businesses are recruiting within his program.

Auto collision instructor Denni White was chosen as the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. Photo provided

He also strives to keep students engaged with new ideas as well as ensuring curriculum is set to be rigorous enough to ensure they pass certification requirements.

“He provides opportunities for students to do well, thought out and structured problem based instruction that is close to a real body shop as a school program can get,” a fellow teacher said. “His approach ensures his students are ready to join the workforce or continue to pursue further education in their respective fields.”

Student Britney H. said White has taught her more this year than any other in such a limited amount of time.

“Mr. White goes out of his way to take extra time and explain more than once when we don’t understand,” she said. “Even though it might not be necessary, he wants us to understand and learn the right way.”

Britney added White somehow makes learning fun even when it’s just hard work.

Fellow TCC instructor Amanda Howard explained White has implemented a new and successful curriculum to the program, which allows students to have the best certification opportunities in order to allow them to be employable applicants.

“He has made sure his students are not only capable of performing the skills, but are also capable of being successful in the career field,” she said.

PBHS credit recovery and senior survival teacher Darla Nunn praised White’s welcoming, learning environment for his students to engage in the classroom and lab.

“He has a genuine concern about his students and wants to see them be successful in all areas of their life,” she said. “He provides opportunities for his students to develop the skills needed for future employment.”

Not only does White take the extra time to reach out to his own students, Nunn said he also took the time to enhance her senior survival class about basic automotive upkeep and maintenance.

“He worked with his students to teach and collaboratively instruct their peers,” she said.

During his first class with the TCC Teacher of the Year nearly two years ago, Caleb Teague admitted he was nervous if White knew “how to be a teacher,” even though he was knowledgeable in the field.

Teague now admits he was wrong.

“Mr. White has showed amazing teaching skills and treats students with the most respect out of any teacher I have ever met,” he said. “Mr. White not only teaches students how to be better at the skill they are learning, but how to be a better person overall.”