Exceptional Educator Award

Ceferino Ibarra

Ceferino Ibarra, pharmacy technician instructor at The College of Health Care Professions, is constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance his lessons and engage all learners. Seeing himself as a curator of knowledge, he goes beyond delivering content to craft experiences that motivate learners to connect with course material on a deeper level.

Ibarra exemplifies his values as a teaching professional through his lifelong commitment to learning and enhancing teaching effectiveness. His graduate degree in educational technology equips him with the knowledge to effectively integrate digital tools and modern pedagogical strategies into his classroom, a specialization he anticipates developing as a doctoral candidate of education in curriculum and instruction. His status as a fellow learner as well as an instructor, professional mentor and U.S. Army veteran, gives him the ability to relate to students on multiple levels and inspires them to stay motivated and committed to their own educational journeys.

In today’s digital age, where facts can be easily verified online, Ibarra believes students must view their instructor as a credible and trustworthy source of information. He seeks to establish a foundation of trust and mutual respect at the start of each semester, and provides the tools and necessary space for students to explore, question and apply what they are learning in his classroom. He also connects what they are learning to future career paths using a particular tactic.

Ibarra’s principal teaching tactic centers on fostering meaningful conversations that bridge the gap between theoretical content and real-world application, sating students’ hunger for relevance and meaning in their education. He actively encourages students to share their perspectives on study material, guiding their curiosity in a way that aligns with core learning objectives. This participatory classroom environment is energized by innovations such as gamification, in which Ibarra incorporates platforms such as Kahoot, Quizziz and GimKit, and a flipped classroom model, where students utilize lecture content outside of class through videos and other digital materials. The latter approach maximizes in-class time for discussion, collaboration and hands-on activities, creating a richer, more personalized learning experience.

Behind-the-scenes insight into the credentialing processes for graduating students informs Ibarra’s innovative pedagogical methods. As a subject matter expert contracted with the National Healthcareer Association, he contributes to the development and revision of ExCPT certification exam items. He is also an active member of the Pharmacy Technician Society, a division of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and remains closely connected to the evolving landscape of pharmacy education.

Although his expertise lies in pharmacy, Ibarra doesn’t let his field restrict his collaboration with instructors from other programs. As an educator, he believes that effective teaching transcends subject matter and emphasizes pedagogy and instructional strategies as the most profound influencers in student learning. He frequently engages in brainstorming sessions with colleagues from various disciplines, sharing and developing innovative teaching approaches to enhance student understanding and engagement across the curriculum. By fostering an environment where students are empowered to succeed, he is equipping the next generation of professionals to enter their careers with confidence.