Marc McCool of Louisville, social science instructor, and Danny Gressett of Decatur, machine shop technology instructor, were recently selected Academic and Career-Technical Instructors of the Year, respectively, at East Central Community College in Decatur.

Both instructors will be honored during an end-of-the-year faculty dinner scheduled May14 in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria.

Marc McCool

Having a positive influence on the lives of his students is what Academic

Instructor of the Year Marc McCool of Louisville strives to do each day.

"I enjoy the opportunity to meet new students and make lifelong friends,"

McCool said about his career choice of education. "With every student and every class there is a new beginning with unlimited possibilities."

McCool began pursuing his career in education with intentions of coaching.

"My first love was sports," he said. "I switched my major to history and fell in love with the opportunity to help young people reach their full potential."

Because of his desire for the betterment of students and work ethic,

McCool was chosen as EC's 2009-10 Academic Instructor of the Year.

"It is an honor," McCool said of his award. "The entire ECCC faculty is outstanding and each instructor is deserving of this award. For me to have been chosen is a very humbling experience."

However, this isn't the first honor the American History professor has received. McCool was selected Star Teacher at Louisville High School, where he taught American Government and Economics from 1979 until 1998, Who's Who Among American High School Teachers, Who's Who Among Community College Instructors, Who's Who in America, ECCC HEADWAE Instructor, ECCC Lamplighter, Natchez Literary Festival participant and serves as an ECCC Legislative Liaison. McCool has been an instructor at ECCC since 1978. 

He credits great influences in his life for his career success. 

"My mother and dad, Dee and Maxine McCool, taught me at an early age the importance of hard work and doing a job right," McCool said. "Mrs. Jean

Hendrix, English instructor at Louisville High School, and Mr. Harold Hudson, assistant principal of LHS, helped influence me early in my career by teaching me "the little things" that you don't learn in college. My wife, Carrie McCool, inspired me to complete my master's degree and has provided invaluable emotional support throughout my teaching career." 

McCool, a 1977 graduate of ECCC, was active in intramural sports and musicals during his time as a student.

McCool said he made lifelong friends as a student at the College and some of his fondest memories of his time in school here were "the caring instructors, such as Ms. Lucille Wood, Mr. Thomas Thrash, Mr. Ovid Vickers and Mrs. Martha Graham, etc."

McCool received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi. He earned his master’s degree and completed additional graduate work at Mississippi State University.

McCool and his wife, Carrie, have a son and a daughter: Tyler, 21 and Lindsey, 15, respectively.

He is a member of Noxapater Baptist Church, where he serves as a substitute Sunday school teacher. He is also a member of the ECCC and Ole Miss alumni associations, and the Winston Academy Booster Club. 

Danny Gressett

When Danny Gressett of Decatur returned to school as a student at ECCC in 2000, little did he know that he would soon be instructing his peers.

"It’s a long story but I feel it was the Lord’s will that I came into education," Gressett said. "After the plant in Meridian that I had worked at for 27 years closed, I came back to EC to get an AAS degree; they did not offer that back in the early 70s (when Gressett first graduated from ECJC.)

"The first semester I was back Mr. Richard Clark, the Machine Tool Technology instructor, had to have heart bypass surgery. He asked me if I would fill in for him for the last nine-week term. I agreed and, with the help of a lot of instructors here who let me rearrange my schedule so I could continue going to school and teach the Machine Tool classes, I was able to do this. The following year Mr. Clark retired and I applied for the job and the rest is history."

Gressett was chosen as EC's Career-Technical Instructor of the Year for 2009-10.

"I certainly consider it an honor and a privilege," Gressett said. "I work with a great group of folks. I am proud to be associated with all the professional and caring people here at East Central."

Gressett was also chosen this year to represent ECCC at the annual Lamplighter Conference. The annual conference recognizes the state’s outstanding community and junior college instructors.

Crediting the people who influenced his life for his career success, Gressett said he considers the learning experiences he has had as invaluable in his life.

"Career wise, Mr. Richard Clark made a great impact not only in my life, but many more (students) who came through the program over the years, Gressett.

"When I worked at Meridian Machine Works, the manager we had, Mr. John Matthews, had a tremendous influence in my life. He was very strict and I thought for many years too hard on us. As time went on I came to see the care and dedication he had for the people that worked for him and the company that we all worked for. He taught me many of the values that I try to instill in my students that will make them successful employees and citizens."

Gressett began instructing Machine Tool Technology in 2002. Prior to working at ECCC, he worked for Meridian Machine Works for 27 years and served many years as a craft committee member for EC’s Machine Tool Technology Program.

Gressett said he enjoys having the opportunity to make a difference in his students' lives.

"I have been very proud of my students in SkillsUSA competition. We have been able to go National Competition in Kansas City, Mo. three times since I have been here," Gressett said. "We have placed second and third many times at state competition. This has been a great experience for my students and for me as well."

 Gressett began instructing Machine Tool Technology in 2002. Prior to working at ECCC, he worked for Meridian Machine Works for 27 years and served many years as a craft committee member for EC’s Machine Tool Technology Program.

A two-time graduate of ECCC, the first time in 1972 and again in 2002, Gressett said he has many fond memories of his time as a student. "I played basketball under Coach Joe Clark and that was a rewarding experience that I will always remember," he said.

Gressett and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Allison, 25 and Corey, 22.

He is a deacon, an adult training union teacher and secretary treasurer for men’s ministry at Beulah Baptist Church.